The latest instalment of Barry Hearn’s Prizefighter series has thrown up what looks like a straightforward quarter-final draw for punters to follow live on Sky.
If this eight man, straight knockout contest has taught us anything however it is that records and reputations count for nothing during those all or nothing three rounds. Pre-tournament favourite Herbie Hide opens the evening when sharing with the un-fancied Wayne Brooks in bout number one.
Former WBO heavyweight champion Hide is no spring chicken at thirty-eight but the German based brawler, nicknamed the ‘Dancing Destroyer’, hasn’t tasted defeat since way back in 2004 and with a proven 83% KO average, he looks to have the tools needed to progress. Hide comes no bigger than the flyweight 1/9 (Ladbrokes) which tells its own story.
Next in line, former Prizefighter Darren Corbett hopes to at least match last year’s efforts when facing John Anthony in quarter-final number two.
Thirty-seven year old Corbett was stopped inside two rounds by eventual winner Oville McKenzie in the semis of Cruiserweight’s I, but the Irishman has the benefit of knowing Prizefighter inside out, which could prove invaluable. Despite not boxing since that defeat twelve months ago, the former Commonwealth champion is by far the more experienced man and should know too much for a John Anthony who looks well out of his depth at this level. The best priced 2/5 (Bet365) about a Corbett victory looks fair.
Jon-Lewis Dickinson and Leon Williams vie for a place in the last four in the closest match-up of the opening round.
6ft 4inch orthodox Lewis Dickinson hasn’t suffered defeat since making his professional debut in 2008 and he will be used to the shorter distance, having never been beyond four rounds. Twenty-six year old Londoner Leon Williams currently finds himself ranked amongst the top ten fighters at the weight in this country but his record of four wins against one defeat hardly inspires, making the 4/6 (Skybet) about Dickinson look like the sensible thing to do.
The final first round clash pairs Mark Krence and Zahid Kahut.
Thirty-three year old Krence, nicknamed ‘The Butcher, enters as a useful ex-heavyweight. With twenty-four victories already on his card, he should know more than enough to see him past a five fight novice in Kahut. Krence is a former British title challenger and comes no bigger than the 1/3 offered by Sporting Bet.
