McCrory, Moore, Brook, Froch, Watt, Moore and Crolla forecast
Friday 4 September 2015 10:29, UK
Commonwealth featherweight champion Josh Warrington needs a big performance against Joel Brunker in Leeds on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Can he pull off the sort of victory that will propel him towards a shot at IBF world champion Lee Selby?
Glenn McCrory
If Warrington is looking for that big world title fight against Selby, then he knows he'll need to make some kind of statement.
I think it will be a good fight. I think Brunker was doing alright against Selby until the stoppage. If Warrington is looking for that big world title fight against Selby, then he knows he'll need to make some kind of statement. He'll need to send a message to Selby if he is serious about earning a fight. That's what I'm looking for.
He's at home with a great crowd behind him and I think he'll put on a really big performance and show some class, some strength and stop Brunker. I think he'll be looking to stop him in the first half of the fight. I think Warrington will win in the fifth.
Kell Brook
I think that Warrington's work-rate is so high and with his confidence, belief and with the fans behind him, I can see him wearing him down.
I think he's going to be too much for him. I think that Warrington's work-rate is so high and with his confidence, belief and with the fans behind him, I can see him wearing him down. The Leeds fans will be loud. I think he'll out-work Brunker in every round. Brunker can punch a little bit so Warrington has to move his head as he's coming in and pressure him correctly.
I can see Warrington really grinding Brunker down and I wouldn't be surprised if Warrington wins with a late stoppage. I think, if not, it will be a points victory for the home fighter.
Carl Froch
The one problem with Warrington is he doesn't carry any real power so you can't expect him to stop him but I am sure he will beat Brunker.
The first thing I want to see is all British fighters winning, and I do think we'll see Warrington do that. He likes to pressure-fight and so does Brunker and while Warrington is non-stop, he needs to be careful because he could get easily caught.
The one problem with Warrington is he doesn't carry any real power, so you can't expect him to stop him - but I am sure the Leeds lad will beat Brunker on points.
Jamie Moore
I can see Josh starting well, getting away from him but as we go into the second half and they are both coming forward, the gap will close.
I think at this level, because he's not a big puncher, Josh Warrington is always going to find it difficult and to progress, he's going to have to find different ways to win. I think we will see him box on the outside to start with but sooner rather than later, him and Brunker will be standing there trading.
I can see Josh starting well, getting away from him, but as we go into the second half and they are both coming forward, the gap will close. I like Warrington and this is a big gamble but it is one he can get through, and the sort of fight he needs to get through to progress. I think Warrington takes this on points - but it won't be easy.
Johnny Nelson
Brunker can box too and could really give him problems. It'll be a good indicator for Warrington as to how he'd fare against Lee Selby.
I think it's going to be a close one. I think it might even be a draw. It's not an easy fight for Warrington. I think Brunker's a very good fighter and only lost to Selby. Like Warrington, he's very fit and although Warrington's age and pace was too much for Rendall Munroe, he won't be able to do that to Brunker. Brunker can box too and could really give him problems. It'll be a good indicator for Warrington as to how he'd fare against Lee Selby.
I see Warrington just nicking it on points - although I think it's so tight, I might even be going with the draw.
Jim Watt
I think Brunker is a far better fighter than you'd think from watching the Selby fight. His pride will have taken a knock.
I think it's a good match. We know Brunker was wiped out the last time he was here but that was by Lee Selby, who went on to demolish a reigning world champion. So that was no disgrace. I think Brunker is a far better fighter than you'd think from watching the Selby fight. His pride will have taken a knock and he'll feel that he's got to prove himself to British fight fans. He must have been hurt.
Brunker is tough and aggressive and works at a good pace, but Warrington isn't a big puncher like Selby. The ingredients are there for a good fight and the atmosphere will be terrific. I fancy it to go the distance but Warrington to win handily on points.
Anthony Crolla
Last time he was here, I don't think we got to see how good Brunker is and that's testament to how good Selby is, really.
I think this will be a really great fight to watch because stylistically, they're both pressure fighters. Last time he was here, I don't think we got to see how good Brunker is and that's testament to how good Selby is, really. I feel that Selby was all over him and it was a brilliant performance. Brunker could never execute his game plan but with Josh, I think it's going to be different. I think they'll meet in the centre of the ring.
I expect Warrington to come through it, though, and force a late stoppage. I think there'll be a lot of exchanges and that it'll be a really great fight but I think Josh is on a roll, has the home advantage and has the faster hands out of the two of them.
