Martin Murray-Domenico Spada: Preview and Prediction

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    MartinMurray1In 2013, South African based Golden Gloves Promotions has brought big time boxing back to Monte Carlo, Monaco. In the seventies and eighties, all-time greats like Emile Griffith, Carlos Monzon, Julio Cesar Chavez and Wilfred Benitez fought in the Principality of Monaco. Tomorrow we will arguably see the best card since the resurgence of boxing in the small princedom.

    Headlining the card will be Martin Murray. The 32-year old Englishman, holds a record of 28 victories, 1 loss and 1 draw. Both his loss and draw are seen as controversial in the eyes of many boxing fans. In his first attempt at a world title Murray drew with Felix Sturm in Germany. His only loss came in his second attempt at a world title against Sergio Martinez. Murray lost an unanimous decision that was highly criticized throughout the world.

    In the other corner we will see Domenico Spada (39-5). The 34-year old Italian is expected to be an easy opponent for Murray. Spada was knocked out earlier this year by Marco Antonio Rubio and was also defeated by Darren Barker and Sebastian Zbik earlier in his career. When Murray manages to beat the Italian veteran tomorrow, he is expected to be the next opponent of Gennady Golovkin in Monaco early next year. I predict that Murray will stop Spada in the middle rounds of the fight.

    While the main event is looking like a miss match on paper, the undercard promises to be much more competitive. In the co-main event, and arguably the best card of the fight, Randy Caballero (21-0) and Stuart Hall (15-3-2) will square off for the vacant IBF bantamweight title.

    Hall lost the same title four months ago in a close battle with Paul Butler. A few weeks after the fight, Butler relinquished his title in order to move back to the super flyweight division, leaving the belt vacant.

    Caballero, who is a 3-to-1 betting favorite, earned his shot at the vacant title by traveling to Japan to beat Kohei Oba via an eight round stoppage. The Nicaraguan-American has been looking outstanding in his early career. However, against inferior opposition. Hall is by far his biggest test to date. And while Caballero is clearly the better technical fighter, Hall might cause major problems for the by Golden Boy promoted Caballero with his strength and determination. I expect a close and hard-fought battle and predict the upset; Stuart Hall by split decision.

    On the undercard, we will see the exciting South African, Hekkie Budler (28-1) make his second defense of his WBA minimumweight title. The 26-year old champion will face Chinese veteran Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-5-1). Zhong is the former WBC minimum weight title-holder, which he lost earlier this year against Oswaldo Novoa.

    While Zhong is a former champion and holds a decent win over Denver Cuello, I think that Budler’s speed and combination punching will be too much for him. Even though Budler only has scored nine knockouts in his 27 fights, I predict that budler will stop Zhong in the later rounds.

    Also on the undercard, two undefeated light heavyweight prospects will face each other. 29-year old South African Ryno Liebenberg and 30-year old Montreal-based Colombian Eleider Alvarez will fight for Liebenberg’s WBC silver light heavyweight title.

    Liebenberg captured this title by winning a clear twelve-round unanimous decision victory earlier this year over Denis Grachev. While the South African has clearly faced the better opposition so far in his early career, Alvarez is seen as the slight favorite by the bookmakers. I have to go for the upset here again and predict an unanimous decision victory for Liebenberg

    The first card of the night will be an eight-round super middleweight contest between 40-year old Sergey Khomitsky (29-11) and 23-year old Nick Blackwell (15-3).

    All five fights will be shown live on ESPN3 in the United States. The broadcast will start at 1PM EST. In the United Kingdom, the two main event fights will be shown live on Channel 5.