Nasser Al Harbi has been handed his second Birmingham vs Black Country clash in as many outings.
That's because the stylish-boxing Brummie will meet former British welterweight champion and recent Prizefighter semi-finalist Young Mutley in an attractive-looking main event on Dave Coldwell's next promotion in Birmingham, inked in for May 11 at New Bingley Hall.
Fast-moving Al Harbi [pictured] is only four days removed from controversially having the first blemish etched onto his 14-fight [13 wins and a draw, one early] professional ledger.
A cut next to Nasser's right eye led to his English 11st title eliminator with Jamie Ball, himself undefeated in 14 entering, last week being halted half-way through the fourth and marked a Technical Draw. Though neither man suffered defeat with that outcome, there was controversy aplenty.
And a rematch looked the most obvious choice, especially as Ball and his camp insisted the cut had been caused by a left and that he alone should have had his hand raised. That notion was disputed by Nasser's corner, though, who were equally adamant it was the Coseley southpaw's head that caused the damage, something agreed with by referee Terry O'Connor.
But the 22-year-old returns to welterweight, where he won his WBC Asian Council Continental strap in 2010, to tackle an always-dangerous banger from West Bromwich, 30-7 (14), who was good enough to end the 28-fight unbeaten run of Michael Jennings to secure the Lonsdale Belt in 2005 and edge past solid Swede Patrick Bogere.
Still, does 35-year-old veteran Mutley, a former Midlands Area and English boss who took red-hot Second City southpaw Frankie Gavin the full 12 last year, have the legs to trap fleet-footed, quick-fisted Al Harbi? Likewise, does Al Harbi have the know-how and engine to keep bull-strong Mutley off him for ten?
On May 11, on a bill aptly-titled 'Who's Fooling Who?', we'll find out.
No comments:
Post a Comment