By Ben Carey
The winner of the European light-middleweight title showdown between champion Jamie Moore and Ryan Rhodes will edge closer towards a world title shot following the WBC’s decision to grant the fight eliminator status for their championship currently held by Argentina’s Sergio Martinez.
Salford’s Moore (32-3) is ranked third and Sheffield’s Rhodes (42-4) seventh by the WBC and the world title eliminator status will add even more spice to this quality all- southpaw clash at the Bolton Arena on Friday 23 October.
Moore’s manager Steve Wood and co-promoter Frank Maloney hope that if Moore wins he will get a straight shot at the Argentinean Martinez or a final eliminator against the mandatory contender, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. It seems more likely, however, that pampered Mexican Chavez Jr, son of hall of famer Julio Cesar Chavez, will get first crack at Martinez leaving the Moore-Rhodes winner to possibly face former IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron in a final eliminator early next year.
Picking a winner between Moore and Rhodes is a difficult task, which bares the hallmarks of an excellent match-up between two capable and seasoned professionals at the peak of their powers.
The similarities between them are striking. Both are southpaws who can box and bang, both can be hurt, they have both shown the ability to come back from some damaging defeats to become more complete fighters with experience and both can be somewhat injury prone. Rhodes probably possesses the edge in speed and power but Moore is more the accomplished fighter inside, is more accustomed to battling through the trenches to prevail and is able to set and maintain a blistering pace. It could be down to who is able to reproduce their best form and execute their gameplan on the night and my gut feeling, with no great certainty, is that Moore will find a way to win. A Rhodes win, by stoppage, would not surprise me either though.
This fantastic Frank Maloney bill, which is expected to attract a sell-out 4,000 crowd to the Bolton Arena, will feature three other title fights. The pick of the undercard will feature Gary Davies’ (9-2-1) first defence of his British bantamweight title against former European champion Ian Napa (18-7). This on-off contest, which has been postponed twice previously due to injuries, will pit the aggressive Davies’ power against the stylish Napa’s silky skills.
The third title fight will feature in-form pocket battleship Chris Edwards defending his British flyweight title against the avoided Shinny Bayaar, whilst Stuart McFadyen takes on Jamie McDonnell (11-2-1) for the vacant English super-flyweight title
Tickets are now on sale prices £40, £60, £80 and £125 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.
