Saturday, May 30, 2015, Kell Brook defends his IBF World Welterweight title against Frankie Gavin in the main event of Matchroom Boxing’s “Rule Britannia” card which will be shown exclusively on Sky Sports Box Office.
Kevin Mitchell will bid for a world title as he takes on WBC champion, Jorge Linares and Lee Selby will try to secure his first world title as he faces IBF champion Evgengy Gradovich.
The O2 Arena in London will play host to this exciting card and unfortunately for stateside fight fans, an internet stream will be the only way you can watch it.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Kell Brook vs. Frankie Gavin, Jorge Linares vs. Kevin Mitchell and Evgeny Gradovich vs. Lee Selby.
Leave a comment with your predictions!
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Evgeny Gradovich
vs.
Lee Selby
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Evgeny Gradovich isn’t a big puncher, but has pesky pop to keep his opponent honest and a slightly stronger resume.
Lee Selby also isn’t a big puncher, but solid enough to make his opponent think before rushing in undeterred .
This will be a garden variety Featherweight fight with a lot of fast, darting punches, combinations and will appeal more to boxing purists as both are skilled.
No one will confuse either guy with Willie Pep, but it will be fairly entertaining.
Prediction: Gradovich
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
This is almost sure to go to the scorecards. I like Lee Selby’s height and defensive skills to win the title from Evgeny Gradovich.
Prediction: Selby
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Gradovich
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’ve been more impressed with the videos and documentaries of Lee Selby and what he potentially can become than his actual work in the ring. The Mexican Russian, Evgeny Gradovich is a tough customer who doesn’t mind flying anywhere around the world to fight.
Gradovich has to be aggressive and land clean combinations throughout the 12-round bout to secure a decision in hostile territory. If he lets Selby have even a few good moments and dictate the pace, he’ll lose his title.
Prediction: Gradovich
Jorge Linares
vs.
Kevin Mitchell
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Have you seen that clip of Jorge Linares countering a sparring partner with a perfect straight right? If you haven’t, it’s worth a look.
Champion in three diffrent weightclasses, Linares’ first defense of his lightweight strap is against a mandatory, Kevin Mitchell, who has been on the quite the streak.
This could be a firefight as both fighters are heavy handed and usually stop their opponents. Linares has the edge as he’s the more technical of the two, but the gutsy Mitchell will trade at times. He’s been stopped doing that, but it’s unclear if that has to do with questions about Mitchell’s beard more so than willing to take risks.
Mitchell has technical prowess. He can be slick at times with his footwork and head movement, but I think he keeps his hands too low to be successful against Linares. Both fighters have a string of knockouts coming in, Mitchell with six and Linares with two.
Linares is rightfully the favorite and has been consistently successful against world class opponents like Oscar Larios Rocky Juarez and Gamaliel Diaz. He would have beaten Antonio Demarco had the gash on his nose held together. Mitchell on the other hand loss the biggest fights of his career getting stopped by both Ricky Burns and Michael Katsidis. Safe money says Linares has the reach, more skilled and too fast. He will exploit Mitchell’s deficiencies and defend his title.
Prediction: Linares
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
This one is a toss up, but I think Jorge Linares will take a close decision. Both are capable punchers (last five wins inside the distance for Kevin Mitchell, and five of the last six for Linares) and have a couple stoppage losses each so a TKO is possible.
This wont be an easy fight, but Linares will have the extra boost that comes with being a newly crowned champion and will hang on to his crown, barely. Mitchell is a tough hombre.
Prediction: Linares
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
This should be exciting. Both fighters can give and both have been stopped.
Each is capable of boxing and both pack a pretty good punch. This recipe doesn’t call for the judges being needed. I like Jorge Linares to win by stoppage over Kevin Mitchell.
Prediction: Linares
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Linares
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This could be the fight of the night. It’s always fun to watch guys that are willing to let it all hang out–knock out or get knocked out.
If the going gets tough for Jorge Linares–in enemy territory–I can see him wilting and Kevin Mitchell stopping him.
But, if Jorge Linares uses his jab and quick combinations, I think he’s got the skills to stop Mitchell. Should be fun to watch either way.
Prediction: Linares
Kell Brook
vs.
Frankie Gavin
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer
Another contestant vying for a shot in the Mayweather sweepstakes, Kell Brook has to impress against Frankie Gavin, the way he did with Shawn Porter. Brook’s a tough customer and he has the 12 inch scar to prove it, being sliced across the thigh with a machete in a bar brawl shortly after the Porter fight. The injury didn’t slow Brook down, as he crushed Jo Jo Dan in his first defense of his IBF strap.
Brook’s goal is to unify the welterweight titles, but his first choice, Amir Khan chose to face Algieri as the lesser risk in scoring a fight with Mayweather.
Frankie Gavin, a decorated British amateur and accomplished pro, wanted the opportunity. Gavin’s sole loss was at the hands of Leonard Bundu, rebounding by winning two consecutive fights since. Gavin did decision a faded version of former WBC champ, Junior Witter which sort of boosts his resume.
Brook plans on steamrolling Gavin the same as he did Jo Jo Dan, and it’s likely he does. Not to sell Gavin short, but I think Brook is of a better pedigree overall, with more tools and speed. Even though the southpaw Gavin has solid footwork and a decent punch, Brook just has too many advantages for him to overcome.
Prediction: Brook
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Kell Brook has faced tougher opposition and has been very impressive with the vast majority of his wins and carries some good pop. He has momentum on his side and feels that his confidence and drive is at a peak.
I think he really wants to make a statement, especially post stabbing.
Frankie Gavin is tall, game and capable but think he will find himself outclassed and ultimately over his head.
Prediction: Brook
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Kell Brook stated, “Frankie is getting nowhere near my belt.” I believe him.
He crushed Jo Jo Dan in March. There are bigger fights on the horizon for him in the future. For now, I like him to score a win over Frankie Gavin.
Prediction: Brook
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Brook
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
If this fight was 10 months or a year after the Jo Jo Dan bout I’d be giving Kell Brook a hard time. But it’s not–Brook is only a couple of months removed from waxing Dan.
So let’s chalk this one up to staying busy and putting on a good show for the UK fans. I think Brook is too skilled for Gaving who will succumb by mid-rounds KO.
Prediction: Brook
