Learning inside the ropes

Jim Watt expects Kevin Anderson to keep learning, and winning, on Friday Fight Night.

FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT PREVIEW

Kevin Anderson v Kevin McIntyre
British welterweight title It's good to see Kevin Anderson back in action for the fourth time this year. He had a couple of hard fights about 12 months ago, not least against Young Mutley and Ali Nuumbembe, but I am glad they are keeping him busy. Last time out he was in a cracking contest with Francis Jones, but although the challenger surprised us all and kept him at it for 12 rounds, it wasn't really a punishing fight as far as Anderson was concerned. The same applies to his points win over Eamonn Magee, which was quite comfortable in the end. Lord knows if all his fights were like the Muttley one then it would be a completely different story, but he is only 24 and needs to be kept busy. And what I like about Anderson is he seems to be learning. We have said on these pages before that perhaps becoming Commonwealth champion came too early for him and he needed to grow into the role - and that is what appears to be happening. His defence needed improving massively and has been. He lost that Commonwealth title to Nuumbembe, but as British champion, seems to be growing into the part. Don't forget he is only 24 still, but seems to realise each fight is a learning experience and takes something from it. Even last time, Jones took all the credit for coming forward for the entire fight, but in the cold light of day, Anderson kept up with the pace he set, kept him under control and had to fight tooth and nail to secure what was a deserved victory. He just seems to be a determined and focused young man. He is the same in the ring as he is out of it - a typically dour Scotsman! He just wants to keep his head down and get the job done.

Challenger

We haven't seen too much of McIntyre, but I really can't see him causing the champion as many problems as his recent opponents. I know he beat Tony Doherty, who plenty of people fancied, in July but there is no doubt that Anderson has beaten the better fighters. McIntyre is not the biggest puncher in the world and has done well to get a sneaky crack at this after being lined up for a title eliminator that never happened. But I see he has fought from light-welter to middleweight and probably needs to settle down and find his best weight. I think this (147lbs) is probably it, but I just can't see him pulling off a surprise - although Anderson can't afford to think that. And I don't think he will. He will want that Lonsdale belt which is up for grabs, which is the right way to do it. That's why I gave Jamie Moore credit last week, because he didn't need to go in again with Andrew Facey. But the Lonsdale belt means that if a fighter's career needs to head in a different direction, say the European, he can vacate and just hand it back, knowing he's got one for keeps. I am not sure when that will happen for Anderson, but right now I like what his people are doing with him. He is getting 12-round experience against decent fighters and seems to be learning all the time. He is also building up a decent little following up here in Scotland - he is rarely in a bad fight. He is not fighting at his usual Kircaldy Ice Rink, but will still take a couple of busloads down to Irvine I am sure. And for those that do make the trip I think it will be worth it because I can see Anderson finishing this one inside the distance.