‘Fight Camp’ is back this weekend, but unfortunately for promoter Eddie Hearn, the card has already had to change with just days to go.
The concept was first thought of last summer, with Hearn desperate to keep his boxers active during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fighters from his Matchroom stable fought in the grounds of his childhood home, and the cards delivered plenty of excitement throughout the summer.
This weekend the concept returns better than ever, with fans in attendance, but they will not get the chance to see the headline act, with Conor Benn ruled out of his fight against Adrian Granados on Thursday.
The fan favourite has tested positive for Covid-19, meaning Can Xu’s world title bout with Leigh Wood moves up the card to the main event.
A Step Too Far for Wood
British featherweight Wood steps into the unknown on Saturday as he prepares to fight for his first world title.
The 32-year-old has had a decent career so far, but he needs to throw himself in the deep end if he wants to claim the biggest prizes in the sport.
In his defence, he is doing just that this weekend. Just five months after winning the vacant British featherweight title, Wood will try his best to win the WBA belt from China’s Xu.
Wood has 14 stoppage wins from his 26 fights, but he has been stopped before, albeit at a smaller weight. Gavin McDonnell, not known for his punching power, stopped Wood back in 2014, although Xu isn’t a knockout specialist himself.
In fact, ‘Monster’ has only stopped three opponents in his 20-fight career, but his “all-action” style should prove too much for Wood.
Wood can come again should he lose, and he will put up a spirited effort, but it would come as no surprise to see him stopped late on, and a Xu stoppage in rounds 10-12 offers plenty of value at odds of 8/1.
Yildirim to Make Cullen Work for Victory
Turkish fighter Avni Yildirim might take a moment to think where on earth his career is going on Saturday when he does battle with Jack Cullen.
Yildirim last fought in February against Saul ‘Canelo Alvarez’, the best boxer on the planet at present.
He retired during that clash, and he has only lost on two occasions, with Chris Eubank Jr, the only other man to beat him.
Yildirim may not have the skills needed to beat Cullen, but he will be a tough nut to crack.
Cullen has only lost one of his previous 12 fights, and he should be slick enough to keep out of Yildirim’s reach before winning a points decision.
Over 8.5 rounds appeals at 4/7, while a Cullen decision is also one to consider at 7/4.
Coffie Forced to Change His Plans
Former U.S. Marine Michael Coffie headlines PBC’s Boxing card on Saturday night, but like the card in England, the headline act has had to change.
Coffie was due to face veteran Gerald Washington at the Prudential Center in Newark, but the latter was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jonathan Rice will now step up and replace Washington, but the former should be in for a tough night. Coffie has already earned himself respect on the USA heavyweight circuit, thanks to his knockout win over Darmani Rock in January.
Price has only lost to unbeaten fighters in the past, but Coffie’s power could catch him out this weekend.
*All odds correct at time of writing