Former super middleweight titleholder Anthony Dirrell returns Friday night on a special PBC on FS1 broadcast. Unfortunately, he is continuing his trend of recent years of fighting subpar competition by meeting a clearly overmatched opponent in Denis Douglin. Jamontay Clark and Domonique Martin meet in the co-main event.
After picking it up in a tough two fight series with Sakio Bika, Anthony Dirrell (30-1-1, 24 KOs) lost his super middleweight title over two and a half years ago in a narrow fight with Badou Jack. As far as the world level goes, that was the last time the younger Dirrell was seen. He has fought only three times since then and those non-contests came against Marto Antonio Rubio, Caleb Truax, and Norbert Nemesapati. These aren’t even top 25 guys, let alone world title contenders.
Denis Douglin (20-5, 13 KOs) is no different. He has been stopped the three times he has stepped up to world level against George Groves, Jermell Charlo, and David Benavidez. That Benavidez fight was his most recent and it was over a year ago now. Douglin has also lost twice well below world level, including once by stoppage to a fighter with a losing record. What he could possibly have to offer Anthony Dirrell is beyond me. This is a garbage fight from the bottom of the dumpster.
At least the co-main event is better competitively. It isn’t a real significant fight, but Jamontay Clark (12-0, 7 KOs) and Domonique Dolton (19-1-1, 10 KOs) are on similar levels. Dolton has fought a little better competition and Clark is coming off a decision over Ivan Golub that he probably shouldn’t have gotten. I’d favor Dolton under normal circumstances, but weight is an issue here. Supposedly this will be a welterweight bout and Domonique Dolton has never weighed under 150 lbs in his 21 fight career. Will be be okay at the weight? I guess we will find out on Friday night.
Fox Sports 1 has the broadcast 10:30 PM Eastern.
