If Blackwell wins this then he'd be de facto number one in Mick's stable now that Galahad has been banned. Headlining a few shows on terrestrial TV would be better than anything that the other promoters could offer him at the moment. I do see Ryder as the slight favourite however.
Think Ryder will win but this should be a great fight. Really looking forward to the whole card actually
Great fight, not sure why it couldn't just headline/co headline a Saturday Fight Night instead of being on in a half empty arena (at that!) at anywhere between 5-7pm!
Cant see that murray threw everything at blackwell and he kept coming back. His corner did a great job pulling him out of that fight
Also there is no comparison between the reedy youth fed to a fully mature Murray (who looked 20lbs heavier) in what was at the time a gross mismatch, and the Nick Blackwell that will face Ryder on Saturday night.
Ryder has some power in that left though, and a solid defence, physically strong. But one geared and a bit reliant on loading up rather than letting his hands go. I think blackwell may outbox ryder then get caught and lose the fight.
Blackwell to win, hes too strong , plus he`s been with Lockett for 2 months who been teaching him alot of new stuff. One of Blackwells weaknesses was that he gets lazy in the ring, Lockett wont have any of that. Ive been having convo`s with Lockett on twitter for the last month he says Blackwell is a Animal. Blackwell had Khomitsky more or less done, his face was black and blue it was just that khomitsky spat his gum sheild out deliberately to save himself, and look what he did to Buglioni and Etches. Blackwell is the stronger of the two and has improved big time
Blackwell can definately win this, even though I slightly favour Ryder,just. it's almost a shame because although it'll be a great fight, Blackwell has had a tough going of this in his very short pro career and John Ryder is not another easy one Hopefully they both pull off a fantastic fight and they both get credit no matter who wins
Interesting, Blackwell is really really good (the definition of a throwback IMO, the kid could be a model ffs but he'd rather be in there having fist fights) but Ryder might come into this feeling he has something to prove aswell so I can't realy split them, I have Ryder a slight favourite just on pure ability ASSUMING he comes in there at his very best but Nick Blackwell is very underrated
I fail to see why Ryder is a big favourite here. Granted he is tough and strong and a good character - but really what has he got? He is not a big puncher. He has little jab. Basically he is strong. akward and unorthodox and he keeps guys spinning off-balance and capitalises. Also he spoils and mauls a lot too.But he lunges in from far out with big telegraphed left leads which can be timed and countered. If you dont let him muscle you and spin you and catch you with those short chopping hooks on the turn, you pretty much have him figured out. Blackwell, if he boxes any bit clever, uses his jab, can beat him. If he figures him out he might batter him altogether. Obviously - the reverse is also true - if you cant cope with Ryder - you are in for a long tough night. But i'm going with Nick here.