McCloskey v Prescott - September 10th

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from the beeb
Paul McCloskey will take on Colombian Breidis Prescott in a WBA Light Welterweight title eliminator in Belfast on 10 September.

The Dungiven fighter will make his return to the ring at the Odyssey Arena after his controversial points defeat to Amir Khan in April.

Prescott, who is three years younger than McCloskey at 28, is the only fighter to have beaten Khan.

The shock win over Khan in 2008 is one of Prescott's 19 knock-out victories.

The Miami-based Prescott stopped Khan inside a minute of the opening round.

"I promise that if Amir is watching, and he happended to forget what occurred back in 2008, I will give him a reminder by my performance on 10 September." said Prescott on Tuesday.

"I can only hope that after I win, Amir keeps his promise and gets back in the ring with me."

McCloskey lost out to WBA champion Khan in Manchester after a clash of heads in the sixth round.

It resulted in a cut above McCloskey's eye and after consultation with the ringside doctor the referee stopped the fight.

"The Amir Khan experience was obviously disappointing but what better way to come back from that than by beating the only man to have ever beaten him," said promoter Eddie Hearn.

"Paul is one win way from another crack at a world title and it's going to be a special night at the Odyssey."

won't be looking at any of those

Towser, you say Malignaggi was never gonna trouble Khan, yet tout him as a good win for Hatton and Cotto. Which is it? Can't be both.

BALTIMORA wrote:Towser, you say Malignaggi was never gonna trouble Khan, yet tout him as a good win for Hatton and Cotto. Which is it? Can't be both.

Both beat him well, as did Khan, he isn't world class imo, that will be that.

Young_Towzer wrote:

BALTIMORA wrote:Towser, you say Malignaggi was never gonna trouble Khan, yet tout him as a good win for Hatton and Cotto. Which is it? Can't be both.

Both beat him well, as did Khan, he isn't world class imo, that will be that.

So was he a good win or not?

Let's get a couple of things clear: Khan beating maidana doesn't avenge the Prescott defeat. Maidana and Prescott are different fighters with different attributes - for example Prescott is the only opponent khan has faced who is taller than him. The only way khan avenges the Prescott defeat is by beating Prescott himself.

The problem is that in the wake of prescotts win over khan, Prescott went on to lose several times against average opposition. Khan meanwhile was carefully managed into a 140lb title shot and has gone on to score wins over legitimate top 10 opponents in kotelnik, malignaagi, maidana and McCloskey. Their careers have taken different paths where a rematch wasn't viable.

Now we're in a situation where that could change. Khan dealt with McCloskey. If Prescott can do the same then he becomes a legit contender for khans title and the rematch is - on paper at least - justifiable. If khan were to vacate in order to avoid Prescott he'd get slaughtered. If were to fight Prescott he'd school him, with prescotts only chance coming via a stray big punch.

To my mind the more likely scenario is that McCloskey wins a decision over Prescott, khan then beats Judah and sets up a unification with Bradley. If khan wins he vacates to move up, if he loses he has no titles. Either way McCloskey won't get another shot at khan but may get a chance to fight for a vacant strap in the aftermath.

More worrying is the fact that Khan's been talking of fighting Judah, then Morales, then moving up to 147. No mention of Bradley. I suppose this COULD be mind games, but Khan would first need a mind for that...

I just cant see how a Morales fight can ever be anyway credible. Its like hes intent on going one step forward and jumping two back every few fights. No point or glory in beating a past it overblown great.

paperbag_puncher wrote:I just cant see how a Morales fight can ever be anyway credible. Its like hes intent on going one step forward and jumping two back every few fights. No point or glory in beating a past it overblown great.

But yet Manny Pacquiao gets credit for fighting a former great, blown up Mosley in his last fight as if it was actually a challenge. He got his ass handed to him against Mayweather from RND3 onwards, then drew with Mora in a lacklusture performance before Pacman finally fought him. Not Pacmans fault, just Arums. Would have had better respect had he done the fight before Mosley fought Mayweather. Khan vs Morales would be good for Khans resume. Morales proved against Maidana that he still has a lot left to offer. Yeh he lost, but it was very debatable.

Plus - You could also say the same about Pacman fighting Marquez at an unfair catchweight when he is 37 and past his best. We all saw how he performed at a similar weight against Mayweather. You think Pac is going to hold back like Mayweather? Nope. He will smash him out of there. But it will be okay because he is the best ever?

With Prescott's win over Khan it shows how much money someone can earn from one fight!

good matchmaking on behalf of mccloskey, take a fight againsts khans only loss, against a limited and imo easy beatable opponent, very clever. still dont think it will get him a shot at khan, who has more pressing issues ie judah, bradley, morales etc. think if he was to lose any on them fights then both mccloskey and especially prescott will get a knock at there door- but till then not guna happen.

Matchroom are doing a brilliant job.

Malignaggi is most definitely garbage, only ever lost to the best his division has to offer with a decent record but he's somehow garbage