Sky Sports serves up a Christmas cracker tonight when Carl Dilks and Charles Adamu contest the vacant Commonwealth super-middleweight title.
26 year old Carl Dilks is a prize-fighter semi-finalist who is making his first trip over twelve rounds against a man who has been over course and distance more than a few times before. With Dilks coming down in weight to face an experienced former champion who has been AWOL from the sport for over a year, we have a real crossroads battle on our hands.
`Dynamite` Dilks has only one defeat from a steady fourteen fight career, with the Liverpool fighters sole reverse coming via a highly controversial points decision to Darren Stubbs in February’s instalment of Barry Hearn’s revolutionary set up.
Despite getting the better of Darlington prospect Bob Ajisafe in a cracking bout on the same night, before going on to outpoint Billy Boyle in his last outing in September, picking up an International masters title in the process, bookmakers really don’t fancy the 5ft 11inch orthodox’s chances, with as big as 6/4 (Skybet) available about an upset.
Unknown to the vast majority of British boxing fans, Charles Adamu will make the trip to Bethnal Green’s famous York Hall venue with little support other than his corner men. Followers of the noble art shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the 32 year old Ghanaian has travelled just to make up the numbers however. Nicknamed `The Crusader`, Adamu is a well schooled pro, having won the same title in 2003 courtesy of a points decision over Southampton’s Mathew Barney.
As well as priceless Championship experience, the fighter taking up residence in the away dressing room has shared a ring with greats of the game such as Carl Froch and Otis Grant. Despite losing his last outing on points in September 2008, odds compilers value Adamu’s past, with Boylesports going 8/11 about an away win.
Although time spent in grade A company counts for a lot in this game, the fact that Adamu hasn’t been out for such a considerable amount of time makes me think twice about trusting him with my stake.
Dilks boxes well on the outside and whilst his opponent attempts to shake off the ring rust he can build up an early lead. Considering Adamu has stopped twelve of his sixteen victims inside the distance, there is a worry that the Ghanaian will have an equalising punch, but Dilks has mixed it up at light-heavyweight and should have the skill, intelligence and chin to shade this one.
The 6/4 about an upset should be big enough for most but with each of the Scouser's last five going to points whilst four of his opponents last five have travelled the scheduled distance, the 9/2 (Skybet) about a unanimous points decision for Dilks looks appealing. Larger stakes punters should consider the 1/2 (Skybet) about this one passing 9.5 rounds, which seems the safest bet of the evening.
On the same card expect Essex based Pole Albert Sosnowski to out work opponent Paolo Vidoz in their European heavyweight title clash. Sosnowski stopped British champion Danny Williams at the same venue and should be too fit for the 39 year old Italian. I dont see this one ending early however, meaning the 8/13 (Skybet) about over 8.5 rounds looks good value.
