Dennis McCann vs Ionut Baluta rematch takes place Saturday night on TNT Sports
There’s unfinished business in the super-bantamweight division for current British champion Dennis McCann (15-0-1, 8KO) and WBC International Silver champion Ionut Baluta (16-4-1, 3KO).
The familiar foes clash again this Saturday, July 27, in the co-main event at the 02 Arena alongside Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora live on TNT Sports.
This time, there’s even more at stake – in the form of the coveted European super-bantamweight belt.
After first facing off in August 2023, the thrilling fight ended in an anti-climatic draw after Maidstone’s McCann suffered an horrendous cut following an accidental clash of heads in the seventh round. The contest continued up until the ninth, but the flow of blood from the Brit’s forehead could not be stemmed.
Since then, the 23-year-old British prospect has bounced back strongly with a dominant points victory to win the Lonsdale belt against unbeaten contender Brad Strand.
In the meantime, Baluta has been gunning for this rematch and hasn’t fought in almost a year.
The Kent southpaw seems extra confident going into the rematch and claims his opponent Baluta is “punch drunk from the first fight”, also claiming that “in one of them rounds he got dropped, but the referee never counted it”, which is a valid argument, as the visitor seemed to fall under a counter punch, but was instantly ruled a slip.
Feeling hard done by, McCann believes he should have won the first fight, so may have a chip on his shoulder when they meet in the ring again.
McCann also stated he does not want to see Baluta “spitting out his gumshield” deliberately as he’s “ready for a war” and “ready for 15 rounds”.
The fight is arguably the biggest of his career since it’s the only opponent he hasn’t been able to defeat and has something to prove here in the return fixture.
Baluta is 1-1-1 in his last three fights but he raises his game according to the challenge in front of him. Something he certainly did 11 months back, in August 2023, at the packed York Hall. He stunned the home crowd into silence when the scores were read out as a draw and there wasn’t any arguments from anyone at the time.
The Romanian has the physical advantage over McCann standing at 5 ’10 whilst McCann is only 5′ 7, but with that tall, slender frame, comes a lack of power, only claiming three knockouts in 21 bouts. His rangey shots possess speed over power.
He often jumps in with his attacks out of range, able to close any gap in a blink of an eye, which causes all kinds of trouble for his opponents. He also throws in threes and fours, which is a hugely successful style. Even someone as reactive and elusive as McCann was caught copiously by the European upsetter.
Not only is Baluta an aggressive, come-forward fighter, he is known to fight every single round like it’s his last. His energy and output is extremely hard to match.
The British champion is a tricky southpaw, a quick counter puncher and very powerful. He was very successful with his huge uppercuts against Baluta and was able to outbox him at range.
McCann has assured everyone that he is now “cleverer”, which he will have to back up if he is to stand any chance of winning the rematch.
Fight predictions: McCann- via split decision
McCann cannot risk being caught up in a firefight with Baluta, as that’s where the Romanian has success in his fights.
If McCann can outbox his rival and dictate the pace and flow of the fight, then his chances of coming out victorious will be more likely.