On Saturday, February 28, 2015, two fighters put their undefeated records on the line in separate cities and on separate television networks.
Heavyweight loud-mouth, Tyson Fury (23-0, 17 KOs) takes on Christian Hammer (17-3, 10 KOs) from the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London, in an important matchup that Fury can’t afford to blow with a possible clash looming against all-time great and current Heavyweight kingpin, Wladimir Klitschko.
To land big names like Klitschko and even WBC titlist Deontay Wilder, Fury must impress against Hammer as all eyes will be on him, including HBO Sports President Ken Hershman who will be in attendance.
Fury vs. Hammer will not be shown in the United States but can be seen live on BoxNation in the UK starting at 7:00 pm, GMT.
Meanwhile at Odyssey Arena in Belfast, hometown hero and IBF Super Bantamweight champion, Carl Frampton (19-0, 13 KOs) takes on American underdog, Chris Avalos (25-2, 19 KOs) in a 12-round championship bout.
Avalos was initially lined up to face undefeated and heavily avoided Super Bantamweight, Guillermo Rigondeaux, but he backed out in favor of facing the Belfast Jackal instead of the Cuban one.
There has been a steady war of words between the two combatants during fight week and come Saturday night, the atmosphere should be electric.
The bout will be shown live on AWE starting at 3:00 pm, EST.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout and let us know who you think will win.
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Carl Frampton
vs.
Chris Avalos
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
Carl Frampton put on a masterful performance last September when he clearly outpointed former IBF Super Bantamweight champion, Kiko Martinez. He displayed not only his top-notch boxing skills, but his ability to stand in and brawl with a tough opponent on the way to winning his first world title, cementing his place as a top three 122 pounder.
Chris Avalos comes in riding a three fight KO streak and carrying two career losses, both via split decision against undefeated opponents. Avalos is the kind of fighter who goes in looking for a knockout, and will certainly do that this weekend in an attempt to avoid the fight going to the scorecards in Frampton’s home town of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Avalos’ do-or-die attitude should play right into the hands of Frampton who I see being able to pick apart the aggressive Avalos in the early rounds. By mid-fight expect Avalos to drag Frampton into of a fire-fight, similar to his bout with Martinez, but I see Frampton adjusting and out-boxing Avalos late, possibly scoring a stoppage win or at least a deserved unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Frampton
Zuri Lopez, Contributing Writer
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
The undefeated Carl Frampton is an explosive fighter and a good puncher. In a recent interview, Chris Avalos indicated that he’s sparred with better fighters than Frampton.
I’d look for Avalos to come right at Frampton and try to apply pressure from the outset and establish himself as the boss. Avalos’ best chance is to take Frampton out early. I predict that he will not be able to do that and Frampton will take control of the fight and win going away.
Prediction: Frampton
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Aside from falling in line with all of the other upper-echelon Super Bantamweights and avoiding Guillermo Rigondeaux, I like Carl Frampton. He showed a lot in the form of technique and heart in his victory over Kiko Martinez last September.
To pry the belt from Frampton in his hometown, Chris Avalos has to start strong. Frampton faded just a bit in his last bout, but Martinez didn’t have enough left in the tank to take advantage. As opposed to just trying to run over Frampton and KO him early, it would be smart if Avalos applied smart pressure, working the body and trying to tire the champion out to set up a late-round stoppage.
I think this will be an exciting bout with Frampton having to overcome some rocky moments, but in the end he’ll pull out a decision victory over the hungry Avalos.
Prediction: Frampton
Tyson Fury
vs.
Christian Hammer
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
The UK’s top heavyweight contender, Tyson Fury comes into this somewhat risky fight riding high after a dominant win over domestic rival Dereck Chisora his last time out.
The giant Fury used his enormous length and reach advantage to pick apart Chisora, bloodying and frustrating him enough to make him quit in the 10th round. Fury will not only have to win on Saturday, but once again do so in impressive fashion if he hopes for a fight with Wladimir Klitschko later this year.
Christian Hammer has 17 professional wins and is riding a 10 fight win streak. Unfortunately, he has not shown great knockout power, which will probably void his best chances of beating Fury.
Hammer is going to have to work his way inside Fury’s reach and test his chin, similar to how Steve Cunningham did back in April 2013, if he wants any chance of winning this fight.
I see Fury boxing smart and keeping his distance, picking off the smaller man with jabs and straight rights the way he did against Chisora. Maybe if Fury is looking past Hammer and has his mind on Klitschko he could allow Hammer to keep it close, but I don’t see it happening.
Hammer’s been stopped in two of his three losses and I’m expecting Fury to stop him again.
Prediction: Fury
Zuri Lopez, Contributing Writer
Another heavyweight showdown. We know shots will be fired through the hands of both fighters on fight night. Regardless of all the smack that’s been spoken, Tyson Fury will get the job done.
Not only does he have a height advantage over Christian Hammer, but he has an immense power advantage over his opponent as well. This fight shouldn’t go the full 12 rounds.
Prediction: Fury
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
The undefeated Tyson Fury is at the door of a title shot. A 21st Century Heavyweight at 6’9”, the 26-year-old Fury still has his share of doubters pointing at concerns around both his defense and his stamina.
I don’t believe the 6’2” Christian Hammer has the size, skills, or power to deal with Fury. If Fury uses his size, his reach and works behind his long jab, he will take Hammer apart and wear down his smaller opponent.
I like Fury to win, mostly likely by stoppage.
Prediction: Fury
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
At 6’9″ Tyson Fury is a Heavyweight giant. But, with his tremendous stature comes and oafish sort of skill set–Fury is the guy who hilariously uppercut himself.
Christian Hammer–in most circles–would be considered tall and imposing at 6’2″, but against Fury he’ll just be another small fry.
Depending on how strict the referee is, Fury could literally toss Hammer around the ring for most of the fight–like he’s done with countless other opponents. But, what I’d like to see is Fury to show some discipline, a good jab and better stamina. Otherwise, there is no reason we should have to sit through Fury vs. Deontay Wilder or Wladimir Klitschko.
Fury will come out on top and as long as he doesn’t sing after the victory, we all can count it as a win.
Prediction: Fury
