Pierce O'Leary vs Mark Chamberlain fight preview, betting odds, prediction
Pierce O'Leary vs Mark Chamberlain full fight preview, quotes, betting odds, prediction
Dublin is about to get very loud and explosive as "The Big Bang" clatters into "Thunder"
Ireland's "Big Bang" Pierce O’Leary (19-0, 11 KOs) will defend his IBO World super-lightweight title for the first time to British rival Mark "Thunder" Chamberlain (17-1-1, 12 KOs) at the 3Arena in his home city of Dublin on Saturday, August 1, live on DAZN.
The pair of punchers were previously poised to perform in March until Chamberlain was forced out through illness, so O’Leary continued to fight on in front of a packed house, defeating Maxi Hughes emphatically in the fifth round to become the new IBO 140lbs world champion.
It was a first professional appearance in Dublin for the 26-year-old O’Leary, despite boxing professionally for seven years. His homecoming was immediately sold out.
For southpaw Chamberlain, from Portsmouth, this collision with O’Leary will represent his second major assignment at super-lightweight, having previously been WBC Silver, WBA Intercontinental and IBF European champion down at lightweight.
In his first title tilt at his new weight, the 27-year-old headed north to Altrincham to challenge for the British and Commonwealth titles held by the undefeated Jack Rafferty. The judges couldn’t separate the pair after 12 rounds of non-stop action, featuring cuts, blood and bruises.
Now he takes up the challenge of O’Leary in yet another hostile environment, and, as the title of the show indicates, there will be ‘No Turning Back’.
Fight Preview
O’Leary is fluid, compact, powerful and energetic. He aggressively comes forward, using his jab to step in close where he unleashes hooks and uppercuts to chip away at the armour of his foes. He constantly dips and rocks his head to keep himself off the firing line while also setting up the angles for his attacks. His aggression is draining for his opponents.
To win the prestigious IBO title, he subjected the champion, Maxi Hughes, to relentless pressure until the Yorkshire 'Maximus' had to retire after five torrid rounds with the insistant Irishman.
Chamberlain is powerful, fearless, persistant, experienced and capable. He crashed through the lightweight division like a wrecking ball, but against Josh Padley up at 140lbs, he was surprised with an eighth-round knockdown and subsequent points loss, his only defeat so far in the pros. Then, in his British super-lightweight challenge to Jack Rafferty, he was unable to secure the Lonsdale belt with the judges split at ringside and unable to call a winner.
That defeat and draw means the southpaw has only won one in his last three fights and two years.
Despite this, the 27-year-old challenger is only a slight underdog, with some believing his doggedness, drive and determination could steal Big Bang's "Thunder".
Quotes
Frank Warren: “This is a fight we simply had to get done. Everyone was so excited by the prospect of it back in March, so we just couldn’t let it pass by.
“It is one of those fights where you just know it will deliver. Two young talents, big punchers who don’t take a backward step. All the ingredients are there for a real barnstormer, with a world title on top this time.
“Pierce is spearheading a revival of professional boxing in Dublin, and the reaction to his March homecoming was astounding. The show also witnessed the debuts of two incredible Irish talents in Bobbi Flood and Adam Olaniyan, so there are many special years ahead for the Dublin fight scene.
“August 1 will be another spectacular night of action at the 3Arena and, believe me, it will be worth the wait!”
Betting Odds
1/2 O'Leary
2/1 Chamberlain
20/1 Draw
Prediction
Tim Rickson, GBN Editor: “O'Leary will be roared on by a raucous, partisan crowd, who will cheer every punch landed to really rhapsodize and rave him on. Initially, I had Pierce to win on points, but now I'm leaning toward a stoppage victory in front of his home crowd in Dublin. The reason for my change of heart is that if O'Leary is able to stop Maxi Hughes, who didn't open up much and tucked up defensively, then against a warrior like Chamberlain, who will be throwing big shots back; brave, gutsy and proud, then the champ should get more openings and opportunities. Against Jack Raffery, Mark was hittable and subsequently cut over his right eye. O'Leary is a powerful sharpshooter and will almost certainly inflict even more damage.”
DID YOU KNOW? The IBO World super-lightweight title was first introduced 34 years ago in 1992, and has been held by the likes of Roger Mayweather, Billy Schwer, Colin Lynes, Adam Azim, but the most notable champions would be Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao.
