Anthony Joshua vs. Charles Martin: A Complete Guide to the O2 Arena Card
Pay-per-view boxing in Britain is an issue that creates plenty of debate on social media.
While those across the Atlantic Ocean in the United States have become accustomed to forking out extra for the big fights, plenty of Brits still feel it's too much to be asked to pay more on top of a subscription rate.
However, even the most ardent critic of a PPV card would struggle to make a case for the bill at the O2 Arena on Saturday not being value for money.
The headline act sees Anthony Joshua—a big man with a big reputation after just 15 pro fights—taking on reigning IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin.
It is not uncommon, though, for someone on the undercard to steal the show.
It should not be forgotten that The Beatles were once the warm-up act for American singer Roy Orbison, per Christopher Rosa of VH1.com.
World champions Lee Selby and Jamie McDonnell are both in action in the English capital at the weekend, as well as George Groves, Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose, not to mention a fighter by the name of Benn.
Here, Bleacher Report takes a look at the list of bouts.
The Debut of Conor Benn
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Super lightweight Conor Benn makes his professional debut at the O2.
The identity of his opponent is not yet known, but it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.
All the focus will be on Benn, who has the tough task of living up to the family name. Dad Nigel was a two-weight world champion loved by the public for his warrior spirit.
The 19-year-old understands that he will have to live in the shadow of his father. Sky Sports' Jefferson Lake quotes him as saying: "Until I get inducted into the Hall of Fame, until I win world titles at three weights—not two, because that's what my dad did and I need to do more—until I've become the youngest world champion or won more belts, I'll always be Nigel Benn's son, and achieving more will be very hard."
In the same article, Lake confirms that Benn Sr. will be present to see his son's first outing.
However, don't expect him to follow the lead of old adversary Chris Eubank Sr.—who works the corner for his boy, Chris Eubank Jr.—by having a hands-on role.
So, will young Benn be a chip off the old block?
If he turns out to be half as entertaining as the old man, British boxing fans should prepare themselves for some eventful nights watching Conor in action.
Matthew Macklin vs. Brian Rose
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Macklin's clash with Rose has the potential to be the fight of the night.
The two English middleweights may not quite be at the must-not-lose stage of their careers, but neither will want to have to rebuild again after a defeat to a domestic rival.
Macklin (34-6, 22 KOs) is the more experienced of the two at the 160-pound limit.
The 33-year-old has shared a ring with middleweight world champions Gennady Golovkin, Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm—he lost to all three—and is a former holder of the British and European belts.
However, his last fight was at super welterweight. He won on points against Jason Welborn, but he did not have it all his own way during the 10-rounder.
As for Rose (28-3-1, 8 KOs), he has only recently made the move up to middleweight.
The 31-year-old had a crack at winning a world title down at 154 pounds, losing to WBO holder Demetrius Andrade in June 2014.
Rose has plenty of admiration for his next opponent, telling Steve Simpson of the Blackpool Gazette: "He is a wise man and I have a lot of respect for him, but this is business."
Prediction
An absorbing contest will unfold between the pair. If it finishes inside the distance, Macklin wins. However, if it goes to the scorecards, Rose comes out on top.
Jamie McDonnell vs. Fernando Vargas
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After two fights in Texas, bantamweight McDonnell is back in action on home soil.
The IBF bantamweight champion’s last outing in England was in November 2014, as he stopped Javier Nicolas Chacon in Round 10 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
Since that night, McDonnell has twice travelled to face Tomoki Kameda in the United States on Premier Boxing Champions' cards.
The 30-year-old from Doncaster had to climb off the canvas to beat his challenger from Japan on points in their first meeting.
The rematch did not prove so tricky. McDonnell won again on points, although the margin of victory on the scorecards was even wider second time around.
He had been due to face Juan Alberto Rosas on Saturday. The Mexican, however, suffered a cut in sparring and was forced to withdraw, per BBC Sport.
The replacement is another Mexican, Fernando Vargas (not that Fernando Vargas). Considering he holds a win over ex-world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., the late stand-in should not be underestimated.
Prediction
McDonnell will close down Vargas—who is dropping down from featherweight at short notice—and force a stoppage in the second half of the fight.
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George Groves vs. David Brophy
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Will Groves forever be the nearly man of the super middleweight division?
Saint George (22-3, 17 KOs) continues his quest for a fourth shot at a world title when he takes on David Brophy, a Scot with a 15-0-1 (1 KO) record.
The bout sees the vacant WBA International title up for grabs, but for Groves it's all about demonstrating how his partnership with trainer Shane McGuigan continues to blossom.
Their first bout since they began working together saw the Londoner dismantle Andrea Di Luisa—it can only be hoped Brophy provides a tougher test.
An all-English showdown with Callum Smith—the newly crowned European champion—could be on the cards.
Groves is keen on the idea of facing his compatriot, telling Sky Sports News HQ (reported by Ben Reynolds of Sky Sports): "He [Smith] has got power and knows how to finish the job, it's hard to gauge the performance from a first round, but he boxed really well, so take nothing away from him and if there is a possibility of taking that fight, then 100 per cent I'll take it."
Brophy has had good preparation for his unexpected opportunity. According to Boxing News, the 25-year-old has been sparring with fellow 168-pounder Smith.
Prediction
Brophy's lack of power (he's won just once inside the distance) means Groves has little to worry about. The favourite will win by TKO in the middle rounds.
Lee Selby vs. Eric Hunter
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Selby's return to the O2 Arena should bring back some pleasant memories.
The Welshman returns to the venue where he claimed the IBF featherweight title in May 2015, as he dethroned Evgeny Gradovich on a technical decision (he won on points after a clash of heads led to a cut).
His first defence saw him debut for Premier Boxing Champions in Arizona last October.
He did enough to defeat Fernando Montiel by unanimous decision, although the 29-year-old was unable to produce an eye-catching display to dazzle an American audience.
Now Selby returns to more familiar territory to take on American Eric Hunter (21-3, 11 KOs).
The challenger, nicknamed The Outlaw, has never been knocked out—but he has been disqualified twice. Selby, however, is more concerned with Hunter's ability to alter his style during a bout.
He told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.co.uk: "He's a switch-hitter so I've been up to the Ingle Gym in Sheffield where they have a lot of switch-hitters."
Prediction
Hunter will prove a handful, but Selby has the necessary skills required to retain his crown. Expect the champion to prevail by a landslide decision.
Anthony Joshua vs. Charles Martin
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Joshua will hope to seize his opportunity when he faces Martin in the main event.
The 2012 Olympic champion has picked up the British and Commonwealth titles in his last two fights, knocking out domestic rivals Gary Cornish and Dillian Whyte to remain unbeaten.
Jumping up to world level may seem risky at a stage of a career that has lasted a grand total of 32 rounds.
However, Martin is seen as the weak link among the current crop of heavyweight world champions.
The American southpaw (23-0-1, 21 KOs) picked up the vacant title in January 2016. His opponent in Brooklyn, Vyacheslav Glazkov, was forced to pull out in Round 3 after suffering a serious knee injury.
Martin doesn't expect his first defence to go the distance, either.
He said on Sky Sports' The Gloves Are Off show (reported by Sky Sports' Isaac Robinson): "It's not going 12 rounds. We're the lions of the sport. If you're going 12 rounds and you're a heavyweight, something's wrong."
Joshua gets the chance to show the hype surrounding him is genuine, while Martin can prove he is a genuine world champion.
Prediction
It should be fun to watch, however long it lasts. Joshua has home advantage, but will that be enough? The first one to land a heavy shot will get to leave the ring with the belt.
Have your say on the O2 Arena card, including offering your predictions, via the comments section.
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