Frank Buglioni Looks To Continue Run Towards World Title Shot

Frank Buglioni

Frank Buglioni returns to the ring in this weekend’s ‘Summer Brawl’ at the O2 in London, looking to put on a show in front of local fans.

Frank Buglioni was set to make his first British title defence in March, but injury forced him off the David Haye vs Tony Bellew undercard and has left the Londoner out of the ring for a further 4 months.

But on Saturday night, Buglioni 19-2-1(15KO’s) will lace up against the man slated to fight him back in early March.

Ricky Summers 13-0(5KO’s), an unbeaten prospect from Tipton, is taking a significant step up in class when he challenges the Light Heavyweight champion of Britain.

Buglioni ripped the title from Hosea Burton in a thriller last December, reminding us all of the destructive power that he carries. Both poured their hearts out in a battle to remember, before Frank pulled out a stunning knockout in the final round of their epic contest.

Burton now pursues a rematch, that looks more likely than not to happen, since Buglioni joined his stable at Matchroom.

This, his first show under Eddie Hearn, and he headlines at the O2 Arena, topping a card that also sees the anticipated debut of Joshua Buatsi.

Having struggled with the weight at Super Middle, Buglioni looks to have found a comfort zone in the 175lbs weight class, and it is a comfort zone that will prove far too much for the inexperienced Summers.

Buglioni can shrug off a bit of wear and tear in the early sessions, before drilling Summers in the middle rounds.

Ricky can give a good account of himself, but the power of ‘Wise Guy’ Buglioni is likely to prove too much.

Buglioni TKO 6

Reece Bellotti 9-0(8KO’s) will put his power punching to the test as he looks to grab the vacant WBC International Featherweight strap against Jamie Speight.

Speight 15-11(2KO’s) has only been stopped on 4 occasions, but over 12 rounds that will rise to 5 as Bellotti takes full advantage of being the fresher man. Bellotti TKO 7

Matthew Ryan 14-1(2KO’s) should prove Ted Cheeseman’s toughest test to date as he defends his English Super Welterweight crown against the Londoner.

Cheeseman 8-0(6KO’s) should make the step up, but will encounter some difficulties along the way to victory.

Ryan has a solid win over Sonny Upton to win the title, but will lose it in his first defence. However, it will take Cheeseman the full 10 rounds to relieve Ryan of his crown. Cheeseman UD

Elsewhere in Doncaster, a British title, two English titles and a Central Area title will be contested in a standout promotional event for Stefy Bull.

Josh Wale headlines where he should finally grab hold of the Lord Lonsdale belt. Jamie Wilson 10-1(1KO) will contest Wale 23-9-2(11KO’s) for the vacant Bantamweight title, but should come out on the wrong end of a close but fair decision. Wale UD

Lee Appleyard 10-3(4KO’s) proved harder than many anticipated for the constantly improving Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd, and will take confidence from that performance to win the vacant English Lightweight title.

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His opponent is unbeaten Steve Brogan 10-0-2(2KO’s), who has failed to win in back-to-back meetings with recent Joe Murray opponent, Henry Janes – drawing on both occasions.

The obvious pick would be for Appleyard to take this on the cards, but the gut feeling is that during an all-action affair, Lee will force a stoppage midway through the fight. Appleyard TKO 6

Mouneimne came close to upsetting Ryan Walsh for the British crown in 2015, but will now look to avoid a shock defeat as he challenges for the vacant English Featherweight belt.

Mouneimne 16-2-1(5KO’s) should have far too much over the 10-round distance for Razaq Najib 6-1(1KO). Mouneimne UD

Daniel Slaney 8-1-1 and Richard Thomas 4-1(2KO’s) could steal the show in a Central Area Super Middleweight title fight.

The 50/50 clash should be entertaining and will be hard to call as the referee just edges towards Slaney. However, a draw will not be out of the question in this one. Slaney PTS

Glenn Foot returns to defend his English Super Lightweight crown, having won the vacant belt just over a month ago.

Foot beat Philip Bowes that night and will look to score another victory against the untested Akeem Ennis Brown.

Foot 20-1(6KO’s) is certainly the more seasoned, and will need that in the latter rounds, where Brown could be expected to tire.

But footage online shows Brown 8-0(1KO) is a promising young fighter, coming in under the radar. And should his tank avoid hitting empty late on, he could cause a surprise in Sunderland.

With great reflexes and improving timing, Brown can frustrate Foot, although the champion will gain rounds on higher activity alone.

The pick is for Brown to dazzle early on, and eke out a close decision over 10 rounds that will be decided by what the judges like – most importantly between round 4-8. Brown SD