Despite the withdrawal of Dillian Whyte from his bout with Otto Wallin, which was scheduled to top this Saturday’s bill at the O2 Arena, there are still two top names in British boxing on show and an intriguing international bout.
The women’s WBC light-welterweight world champion, Chantelle Cameron, makes a title defence, while local boy Craig Richards is looking to recover from his defeat last time out.
Savage Babic out to Maintain Unbeaten Run
Before the British stars take centre stage later in the evening, an intriguing international heavyweight clash will be the focus.
Croatian Alen ‘The Savage’ Babic has progressed quickly through the ranks, with eight knockouts in eight fights in just over two years as a professional. The undefeated Babic takes on Eric Molina, undoubtedly the biggest name he has faced so far.
The Mexican-American has challenged for a world title twice, in 2015 and 2016.
Molina was beaten by Babic’s countryman Filip Hrgovic on the undercard of Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz II and with the Savage making it clear he wants a fight with Hrgovic sooner rather than later, he will be an interesting yardstick.
Babic is 1/14 to win with Molina at 6/1.
Richards likely to be Poles apart from Matyja
Croydon-born Richards will no doubt be looking forward to this bout with Marek Matyja after his loss in the WBA light-heavyweight world title fight last time out.
That points defeat was just the second of Richards’ career and there is no shame in losing to Dmitry Bivol – the Russian is one of the best light-heavyweights in the world – and Richards should bounce back here.
This is Matyja’s first fight outside of Poland and he may have bitten off more than he can chew, which is why the outsider is 7/1 with Richards a red-hot 1/20 shot.
Unbeaten Cameron puts Title on Line
Chantelle Cameron is ranked by BoxRec and The Ring as the best active female light-welterweight in the world and puts both her unbeaten record and world title on the line in this fight with Mary McGee.
McGee is the IBF light-welterweight champion, making this a unification bout, with the inaugural Ring title also on the line.
Cameron won her world title against Adriana Araujo in October last year and successfully defended it against Melissa Hernandez in America in May.
Chantelle Cameron (WBC) vs. Mary McGee (IBF)
Date: Oct. 30, 2021
Location: O2 Arena, London
Title: Inaugural women's 140-pound Ring championship @titleboxing #boxing #CameronMcGeepic.twitter.com/lz0lgdXxFt
— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) October 25, 2021
This bout is part of a ‘Road to Unification’ tournament, with Kali Reis and Jessica Camara rounding off the four-boxer event. The winner of the scrap between those two will face the winner of this fight to unify the division.
A former unbeaten amateur kickboxer, Cameron is known for her power, knocking out eight of her 14 opponents. Her rival here, McGee, is ranked second in the world in the division by The Ring so this is a real test for Cameron.
Four of McGee’s last five wins have come by way of knockout, so the Englishwoman will have to be wary of the American’s power.
McGee has fought just once in the last year-and-a-half, though, and Cameron should be able to put her recent experience to good use and get the victory.
However, the fight should be closer than the odds suggest with Cameron at 1/22 and McGee available at 15/2 to prevail.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
