By James Slater – I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about the upcoming Tony Bellew-Edison Miranda light-heavyweight showdown set for London on September 8th (just one in a number of hot-looking match-ups set for next month – including amongst others, Dawson-Ward, Burns-Mitchell and Martinez-Chavez Jr.)
So it was with great interest that I read excellent web site BoxRec’s/f Ringnews24.com interview with “Pantera.”
Never afraid of engaging in some trash-talking, nor of facing the very best opposition out there, Miranda, 35-7(30) basically said that while he respects the once-beaten “Bomber,” he is looking forward to coming to the U.K to KO the Liverpudlian (in the 6th-round he says). Miranda also said he is looking forward to giving the fans a good night, and of then getting a fight with either WBO 175-pound champ Nathan Cleverly, or IBF 168-pound ruler Carl Froch.
While I feel Bellew, 17-1(11) will spoil Miranda’s plans by coming through some rough patches to either score a late stoppage of his own or win clearly on points, the idea of a Miranda-Froch fight is quite something. Miranda said he has wanted to fight “The Cobra” for some time and that he and Froch would “put on a night to remember.” With the all-action styles of both men, Miranda is not wrong. Indeed, the mouth-watering notion of Froch-Miranda, in the U.K, almost makes me want to root for the powerful yet defensively leaky Colombian on September 8th. Almost.
Bellew is wicked entertainment himself (at least he can be when on top form) and if he comes through okay next month, the big fights will be out there for him. Bellew has lost a close one to the aforementioned Cleverly, and he wants a shot at revenge. But if Bellew puts on a show and takes Miranda out in thrilling style, maybe even in a FOTY candidate, chances are he will be able to call out most any light-heavyweight out there.
It will definitely be bombs away on September 8th (Miranda only knows one way to fight, even if Bellew can box) and fans of a slugfest should be sent home happy. Miranda, however, will not leave the U.K in a good mood. Or will he? We can never count out a banger of Miranda’s calibre. Not in any fight.