I'm hearing all kinds of rumours about the above taking place on 15/10/16. Anyone anything concrete on this? Records say it will be straight forward for CS, Both have fought Fielding (LB stopped in the 1st, where as CS stopped Rocky in the 1st) so if that's anything to go off... Though HAS to be worth mentioning Blackledge's drastic improvements since that Fieling fight 3 &half years ago.. He's convincingly beat everyone since then, including domestic level Markham & Cameron, question is, can Blackledge upset the apple cart, or at least give a good impression of himself. I think there must be some confidence coming from a wise camp (matvienko , Steve wood & Oliver Harrison all train / advise or manage him) or they simply wouldn't of taken the fight.. Thoughts?
Blackledge has improved, but I still don't think this is a fight that benefits Smith at all. In fact I still don't know if he's really Euro level. He would probably give a good account but it's about levels here
Paddy I see where your coming from, I do... The boxing romantic in me always wants an under dog to shock the world & pull it off, we've defo seen stranger things happen than Luke Blackledge beating Callum Smith... As far as giving a good account of himself, there's no shame in being beaten by smith is there - I'm sure if he gives a good account of himself it will open doors for him in the future, I'm actually surprised Both fighters have taken the fight, for different reasons obviously- but see it as a massive show of commitment & courage from Blackledge... Smith sees it as a tune up and keep busy for jack / Degale id guess - maybe his undoing , time will tell!
Tbh i think luke team should have waited for smith to vacate, he could have then fought someone like cox for the vacant who I'd fancy him to beat. Im a fan of luke and hope he gives a good account of himself
