By Damian andyZOR Markut – Update: Grigory Drozd (32-1, 24 KOs) stopped Darnell “Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson (23-9-3, 20 KOs) via 11-round stoppage on Thursday night in Moscow, Russia – First off tonight we will have a fight between American contender Darnell “Ding-A-Ling Man” Wilson (23 (20KOs) – 8) , against one of Russias top Cruiserweights, Grigory Drozd (31 (23KOs) – 1)
The fight will take place in Drozd’s hometown of Moscow. These two fighters are on the crossroads torwards a title shot vs one of the 4 titlists.. A win for either fighter will surely line them up greatly for future bouts even title shots or eliminators. Wilson is comming out of 3 losses if his last 4 fights comming from a IBF Eliminator vs BJ Flores, WBA Title shot vs Firat Arslan, and The Contender Show contest where he lost to Nigerian, Ehinomen Ehikhamenor. He lost all bouts by Unanimous Decision.
Although we should never rule a puncher out, but does Darnell have enough left to make his comeback worthwhile? Not only does he have to deal with home court, but also Drozd, who is no Robert Marsh (who Ding KO’d 3 fights ago). Also looking at the round (6) it took him a bit of worthwhile time to do so agianst the very limited journeyman. Wilson looked sharp in training, even with some people claiming he looks better than ever. In this case he must, cause he don’t have any more time to waste. Already at 34, Wilson isn’t getting younger at he must give it his all to secure him a top 10 slot in the Cruiserweight Rankings and possibly a title shot. And no better way than beating Drodz.
Firat Arslan is a opponent who these two have in common with. With Wilson losing via UD, and Dorz getting TKO’d in the 5th. Both fighters fighting the wrong game plan which led to their loss.
I personally think it is too little and too late for Wilson. Im picking Drodz by simple 8-4 UD. But once again, never rule out a puncher.
Another one we shouldn’t miss is Russian, Denis Lebedev ( 17 (12) – 0 ) vs. Welshman, Enzo Maccarinelli (29 (22 KOs) – 3). This fight just screams fireworks! Two of the hardest punchers in the Cruiserweight Division fighting to claim their status in the division. Enzo is clearly the more experienced and more proven than Lebedev at this point, but will his suspect chin give in to the power hungry Lebedev? I think so.
I normally don’t like to pick fights by the highest percentage of my pick is the chin aspect part, but in this case i will must! No hate torwards Maccarinelli, but Lebedev has shown fantastic power, not like the seemingly light hitting Ola Afolabi who knocked Enzo out in the 9th round this March. Enzo was infact winning on the score cards, but it just showed like in the Haye fight, when he steps up to a higher class opponent, his punch resistance seems to be not capable to withstand the pressure and power.
Although not fighting to much higher competition, he has shown some tremendous power.
The fight takes place on July-18-09 on the Khan – Kotelnik undercard.
A win for Maccarinelli would secure his place in the division, and possibly a revenge fight vs Ola Afolabi. He has also claimed if he were to lose, he would retire.
A win for Lebedev would introduce him to the division and depending on his performance, would put a stamp on the division that the Russian is indeed coming, and this time its not Alexeev.
Both are in their late 20’s and share a lot of common aspects, with personally thinking Enzo with the slightly better boxing ability. I personally think that Enzo’s time is up tho, and that its time for some new fresher blood in the division. The fight will be stopped within the distance, with Lebedev knocking him Enzo in the mid rounds. The division is always coming with newer fresher blood climbing up the rankings (Flores, Ross etc..) will Lebedev do it on the 18th? We will see!
Lebedev TKO 7
And lastly, Tomasz Adamek (37 (25 KOs) – 1) from Poland in his volontary IBF title defence vs Bobby Gunn (21 (18 KOs) – 3) from USA.
Tomasz Adamek is comming off a brutal KO win that he delivered to top American Cruiserweight, Johnathon Banks. Tomasz has shown great boxing displays ever since his loss to Chad Dawson via UD in early 2007. Also most notingly his SD win over at the time the IBF Champ, Steve Cunningham.
Adamek has a good package for the cruiserweight limit. Speed, Power, Chin, and basically every aspect to be a great Cruiserweight champion. Adamek is right now the Ring Magazine champion and is known as the guy to beat in the division. Could a 35 year old, limited American Bobby Gunn do it? The possibilites are quite low, with Adamek being the heavy favorite to win. Gunn is no stranger to title fights, in which he fought Enzo Maccarinelli for the WBO title. The hard body shots and power of Enzo troubled and disgruntled Gunn and who went on to get TKOd in the first round.
Gunn has shown good power in his fights, with 18 of 21 of his wins were by TKO but against little limited opposition. Can Gunn take it to Adamek when the heat is on?
I predict a early KO for Adamek. Gunn has shown trouble and disgruntlement when taking pressure and fighting someone of a higher calibur cruisers, with the Enzo win being one.
Gunn will fold once again in my opinion, under Adamek’s killer instinct tactics and power punches.
Adamek TKO 5