Royal Albert Hall fights preview

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BOXING is back at the Royal Albert Hall after a 13-year absence. Even so World Champion Nathan Cleverly pulled out of the main-event go against Robin Krasniqi due to ‘sickness’. The show will still have two *******jack fights to remember.

In the Main-event, Manchester slugger Matthew Hall (24-4) faces-off against Sam Webb (17-2) in a must-win crossroads fight. Matthew Hall has an exciting come forward style that has given him 16 knockouts in his 24 fights. Sam Webb meanwhile is an excellent counter-puncher with just 5 knockouts. As the famous saying goes 'styles make fights' and this looks set to be a British barnburner.


After almost retiring from the sport after being knocked out by Lukas Konecny, Hall is in confident mood ahead of the fight, he said: "I just don’t think he (Webb) will be able to handle the pressure I’m going to bring. It’s going to be bloody; it’s going to be brutal.”

In the co-main-event, Billy Joe Saunders (12-0) steps his competition against teak-tough Southampton based Tony Hill (8-2) in a Commonwealth title bout. Saunders has looked impressive. His aggressive style and body-punching has had him earmarked as one of the best British prospects. He’ll need to be on top of his game to beat Hill who recently lost a close decision to current European Champion Kerry Hope, and has knockout wins against Paul Samuels and Kevin Conception.


Tony Hill is confident that he give Saunders a night to forget: “Billy Joe’s not really been pushed since he left the amateurs three and a half years ago and that’s a long time to go without a proper fight. He’s going to get one with me.”

On the undercard, Irishman Dean Bryne (15-1) will be hoping to bounce back in style following his defeat to Frank Horta. However he’s matched against unbeaten prospect Terry Holmes (5-0) who could prove a stern test.



Continuing the trend of Frank ******’s fighters going against unbeaten prospects, Bradley Skeete 7-0 goes head-to-head and toe-to-toe with Ross Payne (3-0). In Skeete’s last fight he dominated accomplished journeyman Laszlo Kamjathi over eight rounds.

At the bottom of the bill Andreas Evengolou (4-0) has the chance to impress fans against fellow unbeaten prospect Jamie Kelly (3-0). Completing the bill will be Frank Turner (5-0), Frank Buglione(3-0) and Bradley Saunders (1-0).

It looks set to be great nights of pure pugilistic entertainment, even without Nathan Cleverly. The fans aren’t missing out on watching Cleverly battle against Robin Krasniqi in what would have been a snoozefest. Instead they’re getting some compelling match ups that could surprise and even surpass what the event would have been with Cleverly heading it.