British Beef: Talk is cheap

Photo Credits: Lawrence Lustig

Months of tension and digs at each other will come to an end when Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain meet each other on Saturday. The WBA Continental Cruiserweight title on the line as well as their undefeated records. For the stage of their careers, this is an early risk which leaves the winner being rewarded richly.

An exciting build up has seen trash talk go to a new level as Okolie and Chamberlain try to get under the other’s skin. From a CV posted in the newspaper (after Okolie supposedly loses) to a burger shop comedy sketch with Ted Cheeseman, the talk has become brand new and continues to build excitement for the fight. For both men, this is their first real test against each other, the talking becomes insignificant and will show who wants it enough to move on to the next level.

A fight of power and grit, Okolie with his Olympic experience albeit short also carries power which has demolished 6 of his 7 opponents. Chamberlain gained a reputation of a good boxer shutting out his first four opponents on points. They will try to hurt each other, with Okolie having demonstrated the better knockout power and Chamberlain the better movement. Will it go the distance? Popular demand is that it doesn’t; but when two unexperienced men meet, it could become a waiting game of if and when they land the right punch. Their chins will be tested, it should be interesting to find out who comes out on top. Who have you got?

Ted Cheeseman also makes a step up against experienced Carson Jones who last time out lost to the returning Magarito. A risk for Cheeseman and no rivalry or trash talk needed. A fight that would put Cheeseman on the map or Jones closer to title contention. The WBA International Super Welterweight title will give the winner opportunities and it will look like a bright future for Cheeseman should he overcome his first big obstacle.

Reece ‘Bomber’ Belloti has a nickname rightly earned for his 10 KOs in 11 wins. At featherweight he has become a force in the domestic level. Ben Jones would be a good marker for Belloti with his experience against those who have gone on to European and world class level. Belloti is still a way off from winning those titles but a destructive and dismantling job of Jones will get him there quicker. If he makes it look easy, the ‘Bomber’ could be in for a wild 2018.

Photo Credits: Lawrence Lustig

Butler, Webb, Buatsi, Edwards and others also feature on the card as they attempt to sell out the O2 arena as the new generation comes through.