Ohara Davies vs Tyrone McKenna – who wins?
Only 10 months on from it's inception in November 2019, the final of the Golden Contract super-lightweights tournament is about to reach it's thrilling conclusion.
Headstrong Hackney hitter Ohara Davies (21-2, 16KOs) battles with Belfast boxer Tyrone McKenna (21-1-1, 6KOs) over 10-rounds filled with bad blood and deep-rooted grudges. The winner is poised to receive a lucrative long-standing contract to take their career forward to larger levels.
With so much at stake, BBN asked their panel of experts to provide their predictions for the upcoming competition climax:
Mark Tibbs
Boxing trainer
"Good fight this! If OD can busy up the spaces with head movement and mid/short range work, then he’s gona make it uncomfortable for Tyrone, but if he allows to be longed off with the rangy southpaw style then it could be a difficult fight for OD.
I’m confident in OD’s adjustments he needs to make to deal with the style. Nice 50/50 fight for the fans!"
Steve Wood
Promoter at VIP Promotions
"Ohara Davies has not improved or moved on as much as expected, but feel he will punch too hard in this one. I can see fight being competitive until the big one lands, therefore I'll go with a Davies KO win."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I’d really love to see Tyrone take the win, defo a good possibility of it with his conditioning and pace, but I do feel Ohara carries too much power and will maybe get a late stoppage."
Paul Stevenson
Everton Red Triangle gym head coach
"I think it's a close call. McKenna has the tools to win a decision being a tall, rangy southpaw, but he does love a fight. Will he be disciplined enough to stick to his boxing? Will Davies let him?
Ohara is a good puncher and Tyrone gets dragged in but is very tough. My guess is a decision win for McKenna, but it's a tough call."
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"It was a privilege to cover the Semi-Finals of the Golden Contract back in February. The atmosphere in the famous venue was electric and the action in the ring exciting and explosive.
Ohara Davies dispatched of the spirited Jeff Ofori before Tyrone McKenna squeaked past Mohamed Mimoune in a terrifically brutal war that wasn't for the faint-hearted.
There has been bad blood between the two finalists and it's a shame that the two will finally settle their differences in the hollow surroundings of a venue that is normally filled with the raucous noise and energy of a fervent crowd.
However, I think the fight will deliver. I think McKenna will dictate the early proceedings with his footwork and keep Davies at a safe distance.
The hard-hitting man from Hackney will eventually begin to catch up to his Irish foe and, rather than remain composed, McKenna's temptation for a tear-up will once again resurface, turning this into a battle of attrition.
Ultimately I think this will play into Davies' hands and his harder shots will be the difference. It will be close, maybe even a split-decision but at the end Ohara Davies will get the nod from the judges and sign on the dotted line of the Golden Contract."
Carl Greaves
Boxing trainer & promoter
"Mckenna is gutsy and could see the final bell, but I definitely think Ohara wins this fight."
Lee Cook
World record-breaking referee
"Davies v McKenna – not seen much of these guys, but looks a close fight and will go with Davies on a close points decision, for me."
Dee the Hat
Boxing trainer
"I’m gonna have to back my fellow Irishman Tyrone McKenna to be to smart, athletic, and well prepared under Pete Taylor to win on points.
He will have to be on it though, because Ohara can bang!"
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"I think Tyrone McKenna's only chance to win is to get the decision on the scorecards by smartly racking up the rounds, boxing on the outside and moving his feet, making it awkward for Davies with his southpaw style, and avoiding Ohara's big bombs. That, I believe, is too hard to do for 30 whole minutes, however.
I think Ohara's power will be decisive at some point in this fight, possibly past the midway mark, as it may take time to get into range to land shorter, powerful punches, but with the bad blood between them and a point to prove, OD could be may be incentivised to go for the kill even earlier.
If you also look at the trend in getting to the final stage, OD's route inspires far more confidence, with two stoppage wins in rounds six and seven. McKenna cruised through the quarters against Mikey Sakyi, but he narrowly edged past Mohamed Mimoune, who can still be heard crying robbery all the way over in France.
Whatever happens, I think Davies wins by stoppage. If I had to put my money on it, then I'd say rounds 7-10, but there's a part of me visualising Davies coming out fast, strong and ferocious to get the job done early."
Peter Sims
Boxing trainer
"I think this will be an interesting fight for the first half of the fight with McKenna being taller and with range. But with OD’s power and awkward stance, I think he’ll be too much for Tyrone and I’m going with an OD late stoppage."
Michael Harvey
Former pro boxer
"Tyrone McKenna to win on points, possibly a late stoppage if he boxes like he can, but can sometimes be a bit lazy."
Everything you need to know about the Golden Contract finals on September 30 HERE
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