Super lightweight standout Ohara Davies returns to the ring on Friday in Dubai. He was originally scheduled for a tasty clash with former world title challenger Ismael Barroso. At the weigh-in though, Barroso was nowhere to be seen. It now appears ‘Two Tanks’ will be fighting the unheralded Nicholas Mwangi.
The rest of the card is packed with quality. Rocky Fielding returns to the ring for just the second time since his punishing loss to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, against Ghanaian Emmanuel Danso. Former world champion Badou Jack looks to register his third win on the spin against the unproven Samuel Crossed.
Here’s everything you need to know about a stacked night of fights.
Where: Motospace Dubai Investment Park, Dubai
When: Friday 25th November, (12:00am Saturday UK time)
How To Watch: Free on the IFLTV YouTube channel
Tale Of The Tape:
Davies
Place Of Birth: Hackney, London, United Kingdom
Age: 29
Alias: Two Tanks
Record: 22-2 (16 KOs)
Height: 5’7’’
Reach: 71’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Davies was last out in September 2020, winning the final of MTK Global’s Golden Contract tournament. He eked out a majority decision over talented Irishman Tyrone McKenna to take home the WBC International super lightweight title, as well as a five-fight contract that guarantees him six-figure purses for every fight.
Mwangi
Place Of Birth: Thika, Kenya
Age: 34
Record: 10-3-1 (7 KOs)
Last Fight: Not much is known about the late replacement who steps into a task that looks beyond him. Mwangi has lived and fought out of Dubai for the last year, and has won his last five straight. This hot streak has come in pretty poor company, though his last bout was a seventh-round stoppage win over unbeaten Sachin Dekwal.
Predictions:
Davies should not have any trouble disposing of a fighter who has done very little to earn a fight against a world-ranked challenger. There is nothing on Mwangi’s record to suggest he has even a puncher’s chance against the experienced Ohara.
Rocky Fielding faces a slightly sterner test on paper, against Emmanuel ‘Kwahu Tyson’ Danso. The former WBA regular champion will be looking to continue his post-Canelo rebuild, and Danso looks like the right opponent to do it against. While the Ghanaian boasts a 32-6, those victories have not come against anyone of note. Expect the scouser to get this one done inside the distance.
Another ex-world champion stepping through the ropes is Badou Jack. ‘The Ripper’ is well known to UK fans, having beaten George Groves and Nathan Cleverly and drawn with James DeGale in a war. His opponent, Samuel Crossed, is nowhere near his level. The 11-1-1 American will do well to get anywhere close to the final bell.
Full Card:
Ohara Davies vs Nicholas Mwangi
Rocky Fielding vs Emmanuel Danso
Badou Jack vs Samuel Crossed
Muhammad Waseem vs Rober Barrera
Faizan Anwarvs Viktor Plotnikov
Bader Samreen vs Digari Mahesh
Sameer Anwar Pandya vs Ramiz Mammadov
Joshua David Ridgwell vs Ramazan Babayev