By James Slater – It has been announced by Boxrec that unbeaten British heavyweight hope Richard Towers, 12-0(9) will face U.S veteran Harold Sconiers, 18-23-2(11) on this Saturday’s Gary Buckland-Paul Truscott British super-featherweight title clash in Sheffield. Often a touch overlooked when it comes to the current crop of promising British heavyweight hopefuls – a crop that includes Tyson Fury, Sam Sexton, David Price, etc – 32-year-old Towers (who entered the sport quite late in life) may be the best of the bunch.. Certainly at 6’8” and approx 240 solid pounds, Towers is one of the most physically intimidating heavyweights around today.
This weekend’s fight sees Towers take on his first American foe. 35-year-old Sconiers may not be too dangerous at this stage, yet the man who has been a pro since way back in 1996 has all the experience in the world. And Sconiers is at least coming in off a win – a small upset win over the come-backing Jameel McCline who he out-pointed over eight-rounds back in February.
Having been in with names such as Razor Ruddock (a split decision loss in 2001), Cedric Boswell, Kevin Johnson, Ray Austin, Deontay Wilder, Juan Carlos Gomez and McCline, Sconiers has picked up a number of tricks. Sure, he’s been blasted out a number of times (10 of his losses coming via stoppage), but Sconiers can prove at least a little awkward if he’s in top shape – remember, he dropped “Bronze Bomber” Wilder in that Oct. 2010 fight).
In all honesty, Towers should be something like a 40-1 fave to win on Saturday. Hungry, strong, powerful and ambitious, the up-and-comer with the rock solid frame may well score a quick KO. But Towers is definitely a heavyweight to keep an eye on. At age 32 he has to get a move on, but somewhere down the road the Hatton-promoted giant could be in there with a Fury (a fight Towers told this writer he would absolutely love) or a Price.
Sconiers will hopefully come in in shape and give it a go on Saturday, but it’s highly unlikely the man from Florida will derail the Towers express. Will this fight last a round? I go for Towers to show patience yet still get the job done inside three.