Skeete vs Evans: Full Card Preview and Predictions

Skeete vs Evans

Skeete vs Evans tops an exciting time for British boxing where competition is now fierce to deliver the best possible action for fans.

BT Sport returns to bring a stellar card in association with Frank Warren and BoxNation with a long list of titles on the line.

The main attraction sees Bradley Skeete look to win the Lord Lonsdale British Welterweight title outright against the hardened Dale Evans.

Skeete 26-1(12KO’s) showed a nastier side to his game when he outclassed and outgunned Shayne Singleton last month, and as this quick turnover suggests, Bradley has big plans set for later this year.

Evans 13-3-2(4KO’s) is a game fighter, and he pushed Sam Eggington all the way in 2015. But he has been halted by the talented Larry Ekundayo, and he could find himself on the canvas and halted inside the distance again on Saturday night.

Skeete will be in no mood to hang about, and should show his exceptional class from distance before breaking Evans down in the middle rounds. Skeete TKO 7

There will be many candidates for fight of the night, but the match-up between Gary Corcoran and Larry Ekundayo certainly brings the most intrigue.

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Corcoran is only a year removed from a war with Liam Williams, in which he was stopped late on, while Ekundayo has been plagued by inactivity since winning Prizefight in 2012.

With activity, Ekundayo showed what he was capable of when stopping Dale Evans inside 5 rounds, but it has been well over a year since his last significant fight, with Joseph Lamptey.

Corcoran 16-1(7KO’s) is a quality technician himself, and his activity will help across the 12-round distance. But if Larry shakes off the rust quickly then he could be in for a tough night.

At his best Ekundayo 12-0(3KO’s) should have the upper hand with his brilliant boxing skills, and Corcoran may prove a little one paced as Ekundayo warms into the contest.

The Nigerian born Ekundayo may force a late stoppage, but the safe pick is for ‘The Natural’ to take this on points. Ekundayo UD

Anthony Yarde can pound out another impressive win as the Light Heavyweight hotshot wins the WBO European crown inside the distance.

Richard Baranyi 18-1(12KO’s) fights for the first time out of Hungary and should face a similar fate to when he was ko’d in 4 by Pablo Sosa.

Yarde 11-0(10KO’s) will take the initiative early and can produce a body of work set for the highlight reel. Yarde TKO 2

A rematch between Darryl Williams and Jahmaine Smyle was never going to take long to make, and the pair now head to the new English Super Middleweight champion’s stomping ground.

(Hat tip: IFL YouTube)

Williams 15-0(6KO’s) remained unbeaten in a sensational tussle over 10 rounds, and more of the same can be expected as Smyle vows for revenge.

Injuries seemed to curtail Williams’ career somewhat, but he has rebounded well and could make a bigger statement on Saturday.

Smyle 14-5-2(6KO’s) may have the better skills, but he finds it difficult to avoid a tear-up, and the wear and tear of many wars may catch up with him during the course of another one.

Back and forth action should result in an explosive finish. Williams can rip away on the inside, but will have to settle for another nervy wait after the final bell. Williams UD

Asinia Byfield slipped up in 2016 when his unbeaten start as a pro was ended by a single point, but since that loss to Arthur Hermann, the tall Reading fighter has gone on to score a stellar win over Erick Ochieng.

Byfield 12-1(4KO’s) makes the second defence of his Southern Area Super Welterweight title, and could produce back-to-back stoppages when Sammy McNess challenges for the title.

McNess 7-0(3KO’s) is a smooth boxer, but Byfield may prove too awkward on the night.

However, the speed and movement of McNess can be enough for him to win this grudge match. McNess PTS

On Sunday in London, the popular English-Kenyan, Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng looks to halt a three-fight losing streak and claim the vacant Southern Area Welterweight title at the second time of asking.

His last attempt to win this belt saw Ochieng 16-7-1(4KO’s) stopped for the first time by the talented young Tamuka Mucha, before coming up short for the same belt at the division above less than a year ago.

Asinia Byfield was the man to beat him that night, and last time out he was narrowly defeated again by John O’Donnell in March.

Now he faces Liberian born Brit, Freddy Kiwitt 11-1(6KO’s) in a crossroads clash. Kiwitt is desperate to put behind him a defeat to another prospect in Akeem Ennis Brown.

Ochieng’s talents are obvious, but his opportunities are dwindling. However, a win here could elevate him back into the mix at British level.

For Kiwitt, Ochieng’s name carries weight and so does his punching, and he will look to bring the former English Super Welterweight ruler down in the mid-late rounds.

But the pick is for the cleaner boxing from Ochieng early, and his gritty determination late on to prevail for a narrow points win. Ochieng PTS

On the same show, Wadi Camacho 17-6(11KO’s) looks to win the vacant English Cruiserweight title when he faces another young prospect in Arfan Iqbal 11-0(4KO’s).

Iqbal may be ready for the step up in class, but with his power slightly lacking, Camacho will prove too strong, dropping and stopping the Derby fighter inside the distance. Camacho TKO 7

Jumanne Camero 4-1(1KO) and David Birmingham 5-0(2KO’s) could produce an enjoyable clash for the vacant Southern Area Lightweight title, with the latter keeping his unbeaten record in tact with a points win. Birmingham PTS