Will There Be A Surprise In Magdeburg?

By Spud Woollatt - British Eastside

13.06 - What all British Fans would like to know approaching this weekends boxing, will there be a surprise for the boxing world in the picturesque city of Magdeburg Germany.

David Starie v Sven Ottke

David Starie from Ipswich received a surprise request which he accepted to act as the challenger to Sven Ottke who holds the IBF & WBA Supermiddleweight belts. Perhaps more annoying for Joe Calzaghe, is the fact Sven Ottke is now regarded as the NO1 Supermiddleweight in the world by virtue of holding the more prestigious belts.

So what are the chances of David Starie against Ottke, a boxer who is approaching his 18th defence of his IBF Title and the first defence of his WBA Title, which of course he won against Calzaghe challenger Byron Mitchell in March.

There is absolutely no doubting Starie's guts, in his last fight Starie looked on the verge of a disastrous stoppage loss on a number of occasions against the South African 13 fight Novice Andre Thysse. It is without doubt if Sven Ottke allows Starie to gain a continuous momentum allowing him to constantly throw his jab and his impressive range of punches there is a possibility albeit slim, Starie could punch his way to convincing the judges he is worthy of their decision.

The shrewder boxing fans and journalists feel however Sven Ottke will be too strong in every department.

If Starie decides to go to war and force Ottke into a messy battle, Ottke will bully his way through to a unaminous points decision. British Eastside however feel like many others this fight will be a cagey affair and Ottke will beat Starie to the jab and will then get on his bike until the next Starie onslaught. Unfortunately even if a punter went to the local bookie and asked for odds on a Ottke points victory they would not be very attractive.

Just before the Eastside prediction, just a little thought many people thought Anthony Mundine was up on the judges scorecards before he was knocked out by Ottke. Some say Mundine and Starie are of similar styles.

Eastside goes for the longshot:

Ottke by an 7th or 8th round stoppage. That is only because there is no value to gain a little beer money elsewhere unless the miracle happens and Starie brings back those belts to Britian.

Eamonn Magee v Oktay Urkal

In the opinion of British Eastside, this fight is a very inriguing clash. It is a question of motivation. Many will say a fit, determined and motivated Eamonn Magee could beat Oktay Urkal and should have beaten Ricky Hatton, but Eamonn it seems just doesn't have a Plan B when A goes a little wrong.

You then look at Oktay Urkal and one fight immediately comes to mind when you discuss him. His battle with Kosta Tszyu. The fighter of Turkish origin took the best in the division Tszyu into the trenches and came so close to an almighty upset.

So is Magee motivated and the other question is, is Urkal on the slide?

If you were really looking to criticise Urkal you only have to look at his last 2 fights. His last fight was against Salvatore Battaglia who incidentally prior to the Urkal fight had never fought outside his native Italy. Battaglia pushed Urkal all the way and lost to a split decision with the judges scoring the fight 116-113 twice to Urkal and 115-113 to Battaglia.

The fight prior to that Urkal decisioned Gabriel Mapouka for the second time.

What about Magee. Naturally he will be remembered for the Ricky Hatton fight. Magee dropped Hatton to the canvas for the very first time in his career in the first round and some say in those first four rounds Magee could really have taken the fight by the scruff of the neck but for whatever reason let Hatton off the hook, which suggests Magee becomes very disilussioned if things do not go his way. Another two fights to mention was Magee's very impressive victory against Jon Thaxton and his controversial win against Shea Neary, again, this was yet another fight where Magee and his motivation were questioned.

How will the fight go. Magee needs to jump on Urkal from the very start. He must not let him settle and when things do not go his way stay rigidly determined to gain the victory. Urkal is a very good fight indeed but some say is coming to the end of his career. As already mentioned a determined Magee can win this fight.

Eastside Predicition:

Magee to spring a surprise. Not only will he spring a surprise, but he will do so by winning on points, perhaps a split decision.