MTK Global: Michael McKinson vs. Martin Harkin & Jay Harris vs. Marcel Braithwaite RBR

Yeah considering he was shaking ten months' worth of rust and hasn't been in an important fight since 2018 he looks to have kept very sharp.

Turns out he's actually rated IBF #3 and WBC #11.

 

Jay Harris vs. Marcel Braithwaite, 10 rounds @ bantamweight

 

This was originally supposed to be a super flyweight contest, for the Commonwealth title, but Marcel Braithwaite - coming off a game UD loss to Sunny Edwards last Christmas week for the BBBofC title (in which he dropped Edwards) came in at 116lbs so, no belt.

Harris is coming up from a run (4 of 5 bouts) at flyweight, culminating in his one career defeat at the hands of Julio César "Rey" Martínez in February.

 

All eleven of Braithwaite's pro fights have gone the distance - all nine wins, and both losses. Zero stoppages.

 

The number two spot is vacant, leaving the only man in his path for a vacant IBF strap the Filipino southpaw Michael Alber "Hot & Spicy" Dasmariñas. I'm not certain that's a sure thing for Paul, but definitely winnable.

 

Harris out to "Come And Get Your Love" by Redbone.

 

"Should they be needed, the judges scoring from ringside..."

Oh, trust me, they'll be needed.

 

Round 1

Braithwaite is cowing away from Harris' superior firepower early. Very nice rights on the body and straight flurries up top by Harris. Braithwaite is eating jabs on the way in, adjusting with a bit of bob and weave behind a turtle shell. Not much landing for Braithwaite, although he managed to get inside past Harris' ideal range of extension on the jab. Big left hooks slapped down below by Braithwaite, borderline low, landing on the hip or mid-thigh. Harris answers with his own body shots and then works a jab into the face up close.

10-9 Harris

 

Harris cruising, two zip. Not sure Braithwaite has a plan B here, trying but just a step behind at every turn.

 

Braithwaite straying low with a few shots. Harris straightens him out with minimal intervention required by the ref. Harris leaning in past the Braithwaite jab and countering with rights. Very loose and in rhythm, is Harris.

30-27

 

Four nothing Harris, but MUCH improved round for Braithwaite. Scored an uppercut and some body shots, even if Harris' straight combos still accounted for the greater number and higher quality of connects.