Wise Guy to take Summers out
Published:
Buglioni defends British title at 02 Arena
Manny Pacquiao’s ring return may dominate the boxing headlines this weekend, but followers of the domestic game have an intriguing night on their hands from the 02 Arena as Frank Buglioni meets Ricky Summers for the British title at light heavyweight.
Popular Londoner Buglioni will enjoy the lion’s share of support on the night in what promises to be a captivating contest for the Lonsdale strap, and he’ll also have Coral traders camped in his corner. There’s plenty of boxing action on Saturday, place your bets here.
Champion’s power must be respected
Wise Guy Frank Buglioni takes a professional record of 19 wins, two defeats and a draw into this one, but he’s also the current holder of the title and is expected to defend his honour with another important win. The 28-year-old was in danger of seeing his career go stagnant recently, until upsetting the odds to beat well-respected opponent Hosea Burton last time in a result that shocked many in the sport.
The 6ft 1inch orthodox boxer chinned Burton in the 12th and final round of their December meeting last year, inflicting The Hammer’s first career defeat in the process. With the bout heading to a points decision, Buglioni dropped his man in the 11th, and then put the fight to bed in the 12th, showing, once again, that he can never be written off.
That verdict stretched the champion’s knockout average to 68 per cent, and that simply must be respected at this level of the game. He KO’d each of his first two opponents as a professional in the first round, and carries natural strength throughout the fight. Coral traders are keen to keep on the right side of him, and go 1/16 about another positive result.
Summers’ unbeaten run to end
Opponent Ricky Summers is another unbeaten opponent, but will be eager to avoid the same fate as Burton. 13-0 with five KO’s stands as his current record, and a 14th win would announce his arrival at the top table of British boxing. Impressive on paper, but a closer look throws up some serious doubts about his challenge.
Firstly, Summers has never gone beyond eight rounds in his career to date, and this will be his first outing over the championship distance. Although fit and ready, there will be doubts in the back of the fighter’s mind about his ability to go the 12 rounds. They’ll only disappear when he has achieved that landmark. Secondly, the quality of opposition he has faced so far doesn’t exactly fill us with confidence.
West Midlands scrapper Summers was last seen beating Remigiijus Ziausys, a man who had lost no less than 73 times before going down on points that night. The underdog is available at 7/1, but that shouldn’t be too popular. I expect Buglioni to beat him on the scorecards.
