Australian IBF Featherweight champion Billy Dib (35-1-0-1, 21) has become a bit of a forgotten man in the Featherweight division despite his world title. This weekend gives him a huge chance to make boxing fans remember his name as he travels to the US to face unbeaten US based Russian Evgeny Gradovich (15-0, 8) live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Going in to the fight Dib is the favourite, priced around 2/5, however for many this is based more on his experience than anything else. He's not shown himself to have world quality skills in fact in his only bout with a genuine world level fighter Dib was made to look genuinely poor as Steve Luevano literally abused him in the ring.
Whilst Dib does have a pretty looking record and a shiny title, his best victories haven't been great. In fact his best victory may well be his controversial decision victory over South African Zolani Marali back in 2008 or his stoppage over Mexican Eduardo Escobedo in 2012 (who retired after the 6th round). Not exactly the credentials of a top fighter in a division which has had real quality over the last few years.
To many Dib's most infamous bout was with Luevano back in 2008 for the WBO Featherweight title, in fact that was the last time Dib fought outside of his homeland. The performance of Dib against Luevano was poor and although the judges some how had the fight close he really showed little more than the ability to use his feet to get away from Luevano who rocked him numerous times. Saying that however Dib is an improved fighter and is now a fully fledged man at 27 years old. He still has the fast feet and has fast hands though his power is over-rated on his record and he's not a hugely strong fighter.
Whilst Dib may have the edge in professional experience the unbeaten Gradovich is certainly not a novice to the ring. As well as his 15 professional bouts (totaling 83 rounds) he also had a long amateur career (reportedly 160 fights) and has had quality sparring sessions at the Garcia gym with Robert Garcia.
As well as the amateur pedigree of Gradovich he's also got home advantage with the fight taking place in the US. Admittedly it's not in his home town, but he's closer to home than Dib who has had to travel overseas for this bout. Gradovich has been fighting through out the US since turning professional back in 2010 and to some he's seen as a US fighter.
The biggest issue for Gradovich may be due to his competition so far. I know I said that Dib lacks the quality of wins expected of a title holder, he still has much better wins that Gradovich who has faced very limited opposition so far with former world title challenger Francisco Leal probably being the the best name on his record. Despite this Gradovich does go into the bout with the confidence of being unbeaten and with the knowledge that he's the under-dog and has little expectation on his shoulders.
In terms of his style Gradovich fights much more like a Mexican than a Russian, hence his playful nickname of "The Mexican Russian", he throws a lot of punches and tries to break fighters both mentally and physically. He'll have to show his ability to cut the ring off against Dib, though if he can and if he can hammer away at the body of Dib, slowing the champions wheels, he may well force a stoppage late.
For Dib this fight is a must win fight. A loss here will see him almost banned from fighting in the US and with out a title few will be eager to face him. He knows the pressure will be on him, especially when you consider that promoter 50 Cent is backing him hard, however it maybe his promotional ties that help here with 50 Cent arguably having some pull. Saying that though, I don't know if he has enough to discourage the aggressive and hard working Russian.
Prediction- Gradovich by TKO11.
Betting-Gradovich to win can be got around 11/4 whilst Dib is 2/5
No comments:
Post a Comment