Smith (left) vs Dodson (right) should be good

Tomorrow night at the Echo Arena, Liverpool there are 3 domestic level title fights. All of them should provide decent entertainment.

The real main event (although not billed as such)  is the British super middleweight title fight between fellow scousers, champion Paul Smith 28-1 (15) and veteran Tony Dodson 24-5-1 (12).

Smith as we know was a fighter on the popular contender series where injury put pay to his hopes of winning. Since then, he has looked lethargic in several fights including a points loss to Steve Bendall. However Smith trained very hard for his British title fight against Tony Quigley back in October and although I felt Quigley nicked it, Smith was awarded the belt on  a split decision. Smith is likeable and marketable and if he retains the title tomorrow could be set for big money bouts. His opponent Dodson is in the last chance saloon. Despite seemingly being around for ever, Dodson is still only 29 years of age. Dodson is a nice boxer with the ability to mix it up when needed but the facts state that he normally loses when moving up to the higher level. He was destroyed by Carl Froch in 3 rounds back in  2006 and in his last bout was stopped in the final round of a thrilling fight with Tony Quigley. That was back in March 2009 so Dodson will have been out of the ring for nearly 12 months when he fights tomorrow. I think at this stage of his career it may actually help Dodson. Smith should win this fight by late stoppage but Dodson does have a chance. Smith sometimes fights at a leisurely pace which could really help the older Dodson win the early rounds. Whether he can keep Smith off for the full 12 is unlikely.

Brook will look to stay unbeaten

Kell Brook 20-0 (13) is probably one of the top 3 prospects in the UK at the moment. Quick, elusive but with spiteful power he seems to be heading towards the world class level. Despite a few leisurely performances earlier in his career Brook has really turned it on in his last four fights. Useful fighters such as Barrie Jones, Kevin McIntyre, Stuart Elwell and Michael Lomax were all blown away with ease and the British welterweight title was obtained. Brook has been out of the ring since July although several attempts to set up a mouth watering domestic battle against Michael Jennings have fell by the wayside. Brook’s opponent tomorrow is the Pole Krzysztof Bienias 39-3 (16) and Bienias’ WBO inter-continental welterweight title is at stake. The Pole is not a bad fighter and has recently twice beaten the useful Sven Paris. At a higher level though he does not cut the mustard. He was stopped in 2 by Junior Witter back in 2004 and shut out by Otkay Urkal back in 2003. Although on a long winning streak, Bienias must be made the underdog in this fight. Brook may carry some ring rust but I feel he will finish the fight well ahead.

Big punching Bellew fights for his first title tomorrow

Another Liverpudlian fights for a title on the show. The unbeaten Tony Bellew 12-0 (8) fights for the vacant Commonwealth light heavyweight title against the unbeaten Atoli Moore 4-0 (2) from Ghana. Bellew was an excellent amateur and is a big hitter with lots of boxing ability. Many people including the former light heavyweight champion of the World, John Conteh have tipped Bellew to reach the very top. However the emergence of Nathan Cleverly at the same weight has took a lot of hype away from Bellew which in my opinion is a good thing for him. I know nothing about Moore but he is listed as a super middle by boxrec.com and Bellew is a big light heavyweight. Bellew by stoppage is my thinking.

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