BOXING boff Iwan Evans (@IwanEvans19) is back to preview Saturday's WBC International Light Middleweight title fight and he’s got a big price up his sleeve to share…
Brian Rose v Carson Jones | Saturday 19.00 | Sky Sports 1
This weekend in Blackpool, Sky Sports televise the second edition of the Prizefighter Middleweight series, although local eyes will firmly be on hometown boy Brian Rose (26-2-1, 8 KO's), who faces Carson Jones (36-10-3, 26 KO's) for the vacant WBC International Light Middleweight title.
This is Rose’s first real test since he was demolished in seven rounds in his only world title challenge in June last year by WBO king Demetrius Andrade. Rose found himself totally outclassed by a very technically gifted fighter that night, but promoter Eddie Hearn believes he can deliver him another title fight, and the road starts here.
Before that “The Lion” had looked impressive claiming important scalps over former world title challenger Joachim Alcine (TKO12) and dangerous Argentinian Javier Maciel (SD12), where his intelligent boxing, and top class fitness saw him earn his way to the top 10 of the division, and into a mandatory world title position.
Although he's not an explosive puncher, Rose is more than capable of physically matching the biggest guys in the division, and he possesses, in my eyes, one of the best pound-for-pound jabs in British boxing.
Jones has fought in Britain three times previously; all three fights sum up his inconsistency perfectly. His first trip over was to Sheffield in July 2012, where he came up against now IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, giving him hell for 12 rounds, only to come up short, losing a split decision over 12 rounds. After that fight it was reported that “The Special One” hadn't been taking his preparation as seriously as one would expect, therefore a little credit was taken away from the Oklahoma-based visitor.
Twelve months later the two fought in Hull, and Kell showed his world title potential by dismantling a faded looking Jones in eight rounds, a result that left Carson pondering his future in the sport.
Sandwiched between those two bouts with Brook was an unimpressive draw over eight rounds in London with unheralded Irishman Dean Byrne, who could easily have been given the nod, as Jones looked lethargic and lacking snap in his punches.
In August of last year Jones announced his retirement from Boxing, only to revert a few weeks later, and he made his ring return in September in front of his home crowd in Oklahoma City, destroying 25-52-8 Shannon Miller. Although it’s a concern to see he weighed in at 171lbs, just 4lbs off the light heavweight limit. He's made weight fine for this contest, coming inside the 154lbs limit, but the worry I have about Jones is, how dedicated is he to the sport now?
Rose doesn't have many stoppages; I've mentioned already that he's not an explosive puncher. But I look at the way Brook did a number on Jones in their second fight, and I think Rose could well do that, forcing a late stoppage.
The Blackpool man has excellent boxing skills; he'll work off the Jab all night, and a come-forward fighter like Jones will be perfect for his style. This is a real crossroads bout as well, the loser will find big opportunities hard to come by, there's potential for a real seesaw battle in a classic Boxer v Puncher matchup.
Being the natural guy at the weight will suit the taller Rose, I can see his fitness playing a crucial part, wearing the American down over the later stages and I think there's great value in backing him to stop Jones between Rounds 7-12 at 13/2 with 888 Sport, the brand new sponsors of WeLoveBetting's Football League tips.
Best Bets
Brian Rose v Carson Jones – Brian Rose to win in Rounds 7-12 (13/2 888 Sport)
Your View
Boxing fan? Got a view on Saturday night's fight? Is Iwan on the right lines?
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