Two big fights featuring high level British boxing on Saturday headline an otherwise stark week of fights. In Germany, son of a British legend Chris Eubank Jr has his first round World Boxing Super Series matchup with unbeaten Turkish prospect Avni Yildirim while former titleholders Anthony Crolla and Ricky Burns meet in an all British showdown in England. Here we take a look at the tournament quarterfinal.
First, let’s take a look at the World Boxing Super Series quarterfinal. Avni Yildirim (16-0, 11 KOs) has been a known prospect out of Turkey for a while now. He isn’t a blue chipper, exactly, but he is a promising fighter. Yildirim had his most prominent fight to date in March on the road against underrated Mexican contender Marco Antonio Periban. That night he beat Periban more convincingly than the likes of Badou Jack, J’Leon Love, or Sakio Bika could, confirming his status and earning his position in this more prospect oriented field.
Yet, he also confirmed about himself what I had long suspected when faced with something at least approaching world level talent. Yildirim is fun, and not always to his benefit. The Turkish prospect is aggressive and slow of foot. This combination puts him pretty constantly in position to both hit and be hit. While he certainly has some pop, Avni isn’t quite the monstrous puncher that his style might need to be.
Against Chris Eubank Jr (25-1, 19 KOs), Yildirim will be at a significant speed disadvantage too. This is a fascinating style matchup and one I am really having difficulty projecting. Eubank is a good athlete, better than he gets credit for. He also is a very creative puncher who takes extended, flashy risks in the ring. He doesn’t necessarily have the attention span for a long bout of traditional fundamentals though, or at least he hasn’t shown that aptitude yet if it is in him.
Here we have a steady, traditional, but maybe a little more limited pressure fighter in Yildirim versus an athletic, flashy, but maybe more technically inconsistent fighter in Eubank. I, for one, am fascinated. It is rare thing to find a fight where all outcomes feel possible. Either fighter could roll over the other one. One could jump out the gate strong, but then fade late, and it could be either fighter. This could be a nip and tuck affair the whole way, or maybe Eubank puts it together and boxes safe with his athleticism. Maybe he can’t deal with Yildirim’s pressure and folds. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
The show will be on the Audience Network in the US, a channel you can’t get with a DirecTV or AT&T television service. ITV Box Office has the call in the UK. Either way, 1:45 PM Eastern is the show start time.
