Heavyweight inferno in Hull: Lucas Browne vs Richard Towers Preview

By Peter Wells (twitter- @boxingsaddler):


Richard Towers (Right) & Lucas Browne (Left) are friends outside the ring

‘Big Daddy’ is back in the UK, this time the opposition is a whole lot tougher and the Australian who has grown a big reputation in a short space of time is ready to kick on. Lucas Browne 17-0(15) is 34 years of age but in a struggling Heavyweight era where useful challengers have been hard to come by for the domineering Klitschko’s then age has become little more than a number, not a barrier.

Coincidentally his opponent is also 34 years old and also finds himself as a fighter on the way up rather than the other direction. Richard Towers 14-0(11) bears a stature that befits his name (not his birth name, Richard Hayles) but has been side-lined since June last year when he scored a career best win over his only notable opponent to date, Gregory Tony (W TKO 9), albeit the Frenchman had previously been halted by Robert Helenius and Mike Perez. The 6ft 8in Heavyweight from Sheffield will surely have concerns returning to the ring after so long out against a boxer who on paper is his best opponent to date.

Browne however does not possess the same build that seems to best suit Heavyweight fighters of this era. At 6ft 4in the hard-hitting Aussie has learnt plenty sharing the ring with Travis Walker (W RTD 7) and James Toney (W UD 12). Walker hit the canvas 3 times, but only after Browne had received a count himself in the opening session.

While Towers has the height and reach, in his contest with Tony he struggled to implement it, and was dragged into a tough battle. Controversy struck in round 5 when Tony had Towers reeling and it looked as if the referee would have to intervene. Understandably fans of Tony were adamant the fight should be been waved off but thankfully for Towers who was using the ropes to hold himself up for much of the round, he was allowed to continue before eventually stopping the tough Frenchman in an unnecessary war. If Towers is found in a similar situation against a puncher like Browne, then it could well be lights out.

To win this contest Towers must stick on the outside and make Browne fall short before punishing the shorter man. His stamina proved key when he fought Tony, and even though he has been out of the ring for so long, it shouldn’t affect him in a sever way. He has already been through one training camp before the initial fight with Browne was called off when Towers was refused a visa to fight in Australia.



Luke Campbell continues his journey in the pro ranks

Towers’ big weapon is the right hand and considering Walker was able to floor the Aussie fighter in the opener with a straight right, it looks likely that the Englishman can use that punch when Browne tries to pry his way inside. For a Heavyweight Browne can be light on his feet and his hand speed will also be a factor. Browne can hit with both hands and once in close is a dangerous foe.

It’s hard not to see excitement transcending throughout this fight, and it is unlikely we’ll hear the final bell. Browne will stick to the outside early, looking to zip in the odd jab while working mostly to the body. Towers will want to keep his composure, lining Browne up for the straight right. I envision Towers dropping Browne once or even twice in the opening 5 rounds, but the tough Australian will bounce back and will begin to find it a lot easier to find the hometown favourite. As long as Browne doesn’t allow his work to become raged he can connect big before forcing either Towers’ corner or the referee to intervene between rounds 8-10, while behind on the scorecards.

On a packed card, Hull’s very own Tommy Coyle looks to bounce back from defeat at the hands of Derry Matthews when he steps into the ring with former British Featherweight champion John Simpson 25-9(11).

Coyle 16-2(6) has fought once since a devastating 10^th round stoppage defeat to Matthews when far ahead on the scorecards. That fight 4 rounder was contested at 150lbs, now the Lightweight will be coming down 15lbs to take on the naturally smaller man.

Simpson who is game has only one stoppage defeat, which was at the hands of Lee Selby and defeats have mostly come against current or former British champions. But despite his credentials this is a step too far for a career Featherweight/Super Featherweight.

Coyle can claim the IBF International title with a hard-fought but relatively comfortable points win.


Samire Mouneimne (left) & Josh Warrington (right)

In another title fight and clash of unbeaten fighters Samire Mouneimne 12-0-1(4) takes on Josh Warrington 15-0(0) for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title.

The hometown fighter Mouneimne has no real significant names on his record although he did survive an early knockdown to edge David Savage on points in a British title eliminator. As for Warrington he is a former English champion, and he became the first man to beat Chris Male before outpointing both James Speight and Ian Bailey – the latter lost to Mouneimne after 7 rounds last time out prior to Bailey facing Warrington.

There are no prizes for saying this one will go to the scorecards and the pick is for Warrington to take a close decision.

Also in action are Rendall Munroe, Curtis Woodhouse and Luke Campbell in front of what should be a great crowd at the Hull Arena. Sky Sports televise.