At welterweight, Jack Catterall faces Shakhram Giyasov in a fight that hinges on whether Giyasov can solve a difficult, controlling style. Giyasov has the activity and intent to force a fight, but he will need to cut distance cleanly and avoid being pulled into a low-output contest that favors Catterall over twelve rounds.
Catterall attaches himself to your rhythm and drains the life out of the fight. It can be ugly to watch at times, and it’ll be interesting to see if Giyasov can solve it.
Giyasov is still fighting under the shadow of the promise he made to his late daughter to become a world champion. If he can’t find a way to cut the ring without getting snagged in Catterall’s holding and potshotting, this is going to be a long, frustrating night for the Uzbek. He has to be more clinical than Arnold Barboza Jr. was, or he’ll just be another name added to Catterall’s collection of ugly wins.
The heavyweight fight between Frank Sanchez and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. is the biggest if on the card. Sanchez only just moved to this card because his knee flared up, forcing him out of the March date with Torrez on the Fundora-Thurman bill.
If Sanchez’s movement is even 10% compromised by that surgically repaired knee, he’s a sitting duck. Agit Kabayel showed that if you stay in Sanchez’s chest and force him to work while backing up, he wilts. Torrez Jr. doesn’t know how to do anything except stay in your chest. If Sanchez can’t use his legs to reset the distance, Torrez might just steamroll him before the midway point.
The 6’7″ Bakhodir Jalolov repeatedly neutralized Torrez in the amateurs by controlling range and punishing entries with authority. Replicating that approach at the professional level requires consistent power and the ability to hold a position under pressure. Sanchez has the technical skill, but he lacks the size and the one-punch power to keep his opponents from getting in punching range.
At super middleweight, Hamzah Sheeraz meets Alem Begic for a vacant world title in a meeting of unbeaten fighters. The fight places Sheeraz directly into title contention at 168 without a transition period, making it a test of readiness rather than positioning.
The card also features Mizuki Hiruta defending her titles against Mai Soliman, along with a series of supporting bouts involving regional prospects.
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