Ringside Report’s Fight Report of Recent Results and Upcoming Bouts Around The World
By Donald “Braveheart” Stewart
As easy as 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C here we have what happened, what is about to happen and what is due to happen in the boxing world from the perspective of a fan with a laptop, in the heart of Scotland. Three fights, all being talked about and talked up and not all for obvious reasons.
Flash Back – Ringside Report’s Rear View Mirror – one fight from the week past from a Scottish angle (Look it up on a map…)
UK – biggest and most notable – what should be the biggest news in the UK boxing scene
Saturday 5th November
“In United Arab Emirates, yet another huge night for boxing sees the Ring Magazine, WBC, IBF and vacant WBA and WBO super lightweight title fight between Chantelle Cameron and Jessica McCaskill.”
On the undercard of the Bivol/Ramirez showdown, Britain finally got their first woman with ALL the belts when Chantelle Cameron became the unified super lightweight campion by beating the unified super welterweight champion, Jessica McCaskill.
Cameron won this fight with plenty to spare and was incredible in the fight of her career. Given that McCaskill came into the fight with such a pedigree and Cameron, was disappointed that she was unable to gather all the belts in the manner she had hoped – this was the “alternative” final, in a four-women super lightweight box off thanks to Matchroom – she can take massive comfort from such a sterling performance. McCaskill was cruder than some expected but in response, Cameron was cultured, a better technician and a better tactician.
Given that McCaskill is a world champion at a higher weight, it was perhaps thought she would be the more spiteful and the bigger and more concussive puncher. Later in the fight this was true when she started to land fairly cleanly, but she found Cameron in great shape to shake off the strength being thrown at her.
My view
Make no mistake, this was a massive win for the 31-year-old Cameron. As for McCaskill, she was showing signs of age or being in contests that have taken some of the sharpness out of her. There shall be a few contenders at her higher weight who will fancy their chances now. It was her third defeat and time may be playing a part in her career and not in a positive manner.
That could include Cameron who talked of a rematch for all of McCaskill’s belts at the higher weight – after all, she said, I put mine on the line for her… Whether that is a favor to be repaid remains to be seen but for now, Chantelle Cameron shall seek a next level – financially – fight to take advantage of her status.
Fast Forward – the week to come as viewed from one side of the Atlantic
UK – biggest and most notable – what should be the biggest news in the UK boxing scene
Saturday 12th November
“In Las Vegas, the WBO middleweight title is on the line between Zhanibek Alimkhanuly against Britain’s Denzel Bentley.”
Rather surprisingly British middleweight champion Denzel Bentley will get a world title shot against the formidable punching power of Zhanibek Alimkhanuly this weekend in Las Vegas. The papers over here have been full of comparison with previous fights in the States when British boxers have travelled across and won world championship belts.
But there is also realism.
The fact is that both fighters do not have long pedigrees at this level which would suggest this is not yet, a “worthy” top of the bill world title fight. Sure, Alimkhanuly, is a champion. He is also a big puncher, but he did not win his title against a huge name. He actually beat another British fighter, Danny Dignum, six months ago to win the interim title. It might suggest that Bentley has a decent chance. It is however fair to note that to get his shot at the title he knocked out former world champions Rob Brant and Hassan N’Dam. He was then due to get a shot at Demetrius Andrade to become the full champion, but then Andrade elected to move up in weight, meaning he assumed his title rather than fought for it.
And Bentley does have a chance, but the Kazakh fighter can fight. In fact, he can really whack. It makes this a very tricky fight for the Brit. Bentley’s rise through the WBO rankings has been on the back of some pretty impressive performances including him managing to defend his two-time British champion status at the weight two months ago when he beat Marcus Morrison. His single defeat came when he defended the British title the first time in 2020, against Felix Cash who has also got to world title level recently – so no disgrace there.
Bentley took the fight, at relatively short notice, without thinking twice about it, although Alimkhanuly is known as one of the most avoided fighters. For Bentley it was all about an opportunity to carve his name alongside others who went to America as a Brit and came back with the biggest prize of all – a world championship belt. Will he be the next Fury or Lloyd Honeyghan or Prince Naseem?
My View
This is a golden opportunity for a fighter who is not quite at his peak, to reach a summit. Will he do it? It would be one of the greatest wins ever by a British fighter in foreign soil, if he does. Despite the fact that Alimkhanuly is a relative professional novice, he is an Olympian with a pedigree in the ring beyond the professional one.
It is believed that should Bentley last, he might last enough to nick it. But there are many who think that a furious start, from either fighter, is what we shall get and that shall lead to an Alimkhanuly win, either by stoppage early or midway through. Of course, we can all dream…
Future History – and the week to follow…
UK – biggest and most notable – what should be the biggest news in the UK boxing scene
Saturday 19th November
In Telford, and on BT Sport, light heavyweight contender, Anthony Yarde faces Stefani Koykov.
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