Dennis McCann vs Brad Strand – who wins and why?
‘The Magnificent Seven Rides Again’ on Saturday night, March 16, in Birmingham, as promoter Frank Warren puts on another fantastic card packed full of Britain’s best.
Nathan Heaney and Liam Davies headlines in respective championship fights, with Davies facing Mexican Erik Robles Ayala for the vacant IBO world super bantamweight strap and Heaney defending his British middleweight belt to challenger Brad Pauls.
But one fight amongst the undercard has just been catapulted into the limelight since the late announcement that the Lord Lonsdale belt has been made available for the unbeaten pair to contest.
Maidstone’s Dennis McCann (14-0-1, 8KO) and Liverpool’s Brad Strand (11-0, 3KO) will clash in one of the best fights that could be made domestically right now.
Now trained by Joe McNally, McCann has been touted as one of the country’s top prospects, ever since leaving the amateurs as a nine-time national champion, while Strand, an ABA Elites champion, has been quietly building his way up with top trainer Paul Stevenson.
So, who wins? BBN asked their trusted panel of boxing experts for their views:
Sam NoakesBritish & Commonwealth lightweight champion: “I think Dennis wins. I don’t think it’ll be as easy as Dennis thinks it’s gonna be, but I think Dennis should probably do the job later on.
“I think Brad Strand really don’t have enough to keep Dennis off him, but I think first few rounds will be a cagey while they try to figure each other out.
“I’ll probably be going for Dennis [to win] later on in the fight.”
Steve WoodVIP Promotions: “Tough one to predict, not much in this one and could go either way – Dennis looked sensational at the start of his career but seems to have plateaued and be interesting if his change of trainer lifts him. If so, he is slight favourite for me but going off recent performances I am thinking the hungry Strand nicks it on points.”
Wayne AlexanderFormer British & European champion: “Entertaining fight between two hungry, young, undefeated fighters
“McCann is more known to the casual fans, got a bit of higher profile though I thought he was lucky in his last contest with Baluta.
“The other guy, Strand, was a good amateur, even though he’s undefeated, he’s had less experience as a pro, not as high profile, McCann has had more championship fights and more experienced at that level.
“I’m picking McCann on points, but I think it’ll be very close. It’s a bit of pick ’em fight, some might say McCann got a bit exposed in his last fight.”
Dean WhyteManager & Promoter: “I like Dennis, very nice kid, had a really tough time out last time against Baluta.
“I’ve heard this kid’s [Brad Strand] pretty handy also, but I’ll be rooting for Dennis to pull off the win.”
Tim RicksonBBN Editor: “I have known Brad for a number of years, I first interviewed him in 2019 when he was just 2-0. He had the same mindset and mature attitude then, at 22, that he has now, at 27.
“His trainer Paul Stevenson has moulded and taught all his fighters – Brad Strand, Nick Ball, Andrew Cain, Peter McGrail – to have the same championship mentality, which is why they are all champions now – they have been built for this.
“Strand’s key to victory is that incredible jab of his, it’s one of the best in the business. ‘The right hand can take you around the block, but a good jab will take you around the world,’ and I really believe Brad will wind up on the world stage because of that.
“Dennis lives near to me so I’ve bumped into him before, lovely guy, really friendly, so I naturally like him and been following his career with interest for a long time. He’s quick, explosive, fluid, great feet, powerful, and a very natural all-round fighter. Baluta showed the world in that last fight that if you let your hands go in threes and fours then you can land on him.
“He will be looking to get in close and get inside of that rangy, snappy jab of Strand’s, who will work best keeping McCann on the end of that punch and staying on the outside utilising his long, straight shots. It’s such an intriguing clash of styles, so it will come down to who can impose their game plan the most on the night. Whoever dictates the pace will get ahead too.
“I think the first few rounds will be highly interesting, but then the excitement will really come when the fight begins to open up after a few rounds.
“I’m completely split, I think it’s 50-50, but I’m going to lean towards Strand boxing clever and disciplined to claim a points win.”
Arijan GorickiIBO title contender: “I’m not too familiar with Brad’s carer so I can’t give an accurate prediction. But I know that McCann is a very good fighter with lots of potential and this should be another night in the office for him.”
Bogdan MusatManager & Matchmaker: “Regarding this fight, I am going with McCann winning on points. I hope for an exciting fight with a lot of punches.”
Oscar PickBBN Writer: “This really is a fascinating matchup. With two completely contrasting styles, opposing personalities and varying levels of experience, I am anticipating a highly intriguing clash.
“Brad Strand was a well-schooled amateur, but has made little progress in his 11 professional bouts. While his polished skills could initially cause Dennis McCann some problems, I feel like his lack of experience as a pro puts him at a disadvantage.
“McCann, on the other hand, has competed at a much higher level. He proved in his last outing against Baluta that he can swim in deep waters, and I think that his unconventional style – which is well-suited to the pro game – will prevail, with his power advantage being another significant factor.”
Ben DayFormer Southern Area Champion: “I don’t really know much about Brad Strand, but what I will say is that I’m a huge fan of Dennis McCann and I believe 100% he will become a world champion one day.
“He lives and breathes boxing and he’s very likeable and characteristic as a person, which I like to see in the sport of boxing, it’s about personalities also.
“He’s awkward, with a fast-paced style, throwing lovely combinations and, in his words, good looking and sharply dressed!
“Let’s go champ, Haribo time!”
Sam CondyBBN Writer: “This is probably the fight I’m most looking forward to on the card. Both guys are exceptional prospects. Strand’s amateur pedigree – four-time national champion – speaks volumes for his technical ability. McCann will need to be wary early on, making sure he prevents Strand from working behind his jab, as he could easily be caught off guard and allow a lead to snowball against him.
“Strand certainly poses a threat to McCann’s progress through the division, though I think the fight may be coming slightly too early in his career. He lacks the experience past eight rounds that McCann possesses, and I think if McCann can hang on in the scorecards early on, and find a way past Strand’s jab, those later rounds could prove pivotal.
“I’m leaning towards McCann on this one. He showed against Baluta that he can really compete with the top guys, Baluta has tested elites like Michael Conlan and Liam Davies, who is also fighting on Saturday. I predict McCann’s experience will allow him to overcome the adversity that Strand may throw at him early on, and scrape through on points.”