Tony Bellew vs. Edison Miranda

Here's how I see it...

Pantera is perhaps the harder puncher here, and that's his "key to victory" as the TV talking heads would say.

They don't call Bellew "Bomber" for no reason, however. He can hit pretty hard - maybe not as hard as Miranda - but hard.

He also has much better boxing skills, and - with this being the likely difference maker, IMO - the much better set of whiskers.

Usually, Boxer A carrying slightly more thunder but Boxer B being more skilled & more durable spells doom for Boxer A.

Then again, just because you've got a good chin doesn't mean you can't be caught cold and deprived of your legs by a big hitter - and Miranda is just that...and will by some distance be the biggest Tony's faced.

Edison's best chance (although it's also dangerous for him) is to force some free trading on Bellew...and Bellew does love to trade when pressed to in spite of himself. Strategically, it may benefit Miranda if Bellew is looking to come out blazing and target Miranda's jaw...figuring it's already been fissured and softened up for him enough so he can score the pretty KO and impress on the big stage, rather than approach it more wisely as a boxer-puncher and simply wait for Miranda to either gas or crumble under a strong jab and relentless pace - a blueprint laid down or rather retrod by Chilemba, who I think Bellew is at least as good as.


Outcomes in order of likelihood, as I see them:

1) Bellew by late accumulation TKO, with Miranda maybe hitting the deck early but stubbornly hanging around until simply getting worn down.

2) Bellew by clear decision (made clearer by geography), scoring a couple of knockdowns and maybe suffering one himself.

3) Miranda by abrupt knockout, surprising Bellew with a shot he never recovers from.

4) Miranda by decision. In England. Let alone against a guy with a solid work rate who will try and force him on the backfoot and isn't going to buckle the first time a big right hand is loaded up and slung out as a counter. Not happening.

 

Well, 1st of all, Cleverly isn't even the weakest 175lb champ. More like the second weakest. (and I like Shumenov, but...:!

2nd, Bellew deserved to beat him.

3rd, is he a sensation? :think Outside the British forum he's never mentioned...as evidenced by the fact there wasn't a single thread about this fight until this one.

 

I had Miranda vs. Chilemba a draw, with Edison forging ahead early and Isaac taking over late.

Despaigne sucks. Miranda was stupid to keep fouling him so much and get dq'ed, that was winnable even after the point deductions.