British Scene Preview: Groves vs Adamu - Olusegan vs Lynes

Dave Oakes previews the David Haye vs John Ruiz Sky Box Office undercard.  George Groves challenges Commonwealth champion Charles Adamu at 168lbs while Ajose Olusegan defends his 140lb Commonwealth belt against Colin Lynes.  The show also features the return of Jamie Moore, as the exciting southpaw steps back into action for the first time since losing to Ryan Rhodes last October.

Preview of the main-event: David Haye vs John Ruiz

George Groves takes a big step up in class on the M.E.N undercard; he challenges Charles Adamu for the Ghanaian’s Commonwealth belt.

Adamu, 17-4 (12KO’s), won the title last time out when he received a highly debatable split decision over Carl Dilks. Dilks seemed to have done more than enough to take the decision but the judges were swayed by Adamu’s swarming style.

The four defeats on Adamu’s have come against good opposition, Vitali Tsypko, Carl Froch, Otis Grant and Isaac Chilemba. He caused all four problems and was giving Carl Froch a very hard night before a strong finish by the current world champion gave him the victory.

Groves, 8-0 (6KO’s), hasn’t gone past eight rounds, is quite inexperienced and still has a few glitches in his style that need ironing out. He’s only faced one fighter of note thus far in his career, a one round defeat of entertaining slugger Paul Samuels. Whilst it was a good win at that stage of his career, let’s not forget that Samuels has never been championship class and was well past his best by the time he met Groves.

There has been a lot of expectation placed upon Groves’ young shoulders, he turned pro in 2008 having already won two ABA titles and was immediately earmarked as a future champion. He isn’t short of confidence and seems to be a fighter in a hurry, hence he’s taking on a teak tough Ghanaian for a domestic title in just his ninth fight.

Groves is a good all-round boxer who looks at ease boxing off the back foot or taking the initiative, he carries power in both hands and looks like the kind of boxer who enjoys being in the ring. The main weakness in his armoury seems to be his defence; he likes to carry his hands low and has a tendency to get caught with silly shots. I hope that he’ll address this problem as he progresses through the ranks and Saturdays fight should be a good test for him in that respect.

I can see this going the full twelve rounds, which would do Groves the world of good. Carl Froch landed some heavy blows on Adamu but the Accra born hardman took them well and came back with punches of his own. Groves should be able to adapt to Adamu’s swarming style and I can see him picking the champion off in the early rounds before standing his ground later in the fight. Adamu will make Groves work hard but I feel Groves has the ability to win a wide points decision.

Ajose Olusegan makes the third defence of his Commonwealth title against former British and European champion Colin Lynes.

Nigerian born, British based Olusegan, 27-0 (13KO’s), has got to be one of the biggest secrets in British boxing; he’s a boxer who’s not got the opportunities his talent deserves. He’s been unlucky in chasing a world title; he vacated his British title to fight in an eliminator for the WBC title only for the fight to fall through at the last minute.

He last fought in June, successfully defending his Commonwealth title with a unanimous points victory over Nigel Wright, a fighter who he’d already beaten to claim the title a year earlier.

Lynes, 33-7 (12KO’s), isn’t the luckiest fighter either, it seemed like he was going to fall just short of British level after losses to Samuel Malinga, Junior Witter and Lenny Daws. He battled away, though, and his hard work and dedication paid off when he out pointed Barry Morrison to claim the British title. He defended it with an impressive stoppage victory over Young Mutley, adding the European title at the same time.

The affable Londoner looked to have grown into a fine championship performer and provided further evidence of this when he put in a classy performance to beat Juho Tolppola to retain his European belt. Having worked hard to get himself two titles, he was on the end of an extremely debatable split-decision against Gianluca Branco in the Italian’s hometown.

Lynes suffered two consecutive defeats following the Branco fight, a ninth round defeat to Paul McCloskey and another debatable spilt-decision defeat in a European title fight, this time against Souleymane M’baye in France.

He last appeared in a ring late last year in the Prizefighter tournament. He boxed well to defeat David Barnes and Young Mutley but lost the final to Gavin Rees. Lynes was pleased with his performance in the competition and is hoping he can build on it to cause on upset against Olusegan in what could be his last chance of winning anther title.

Olusegan is the clear betting favourite, he’s certainly the fresher fighter and his southpaw stance could cause Lynes problems. Lynes is a bit robotic and I can see Olusegan’s movement and hand speed winning him the majority of the rounds. Whilst Olusegan isn’t a big puncher, I feel he may overwhelm Lynes in the later rounds.

Lynes has been stopped three times, once in the eighth and twice in the ninth, I can see this ending around the same period as Lynes tires and Olusegan turns up the heat on him.

Jamie Moore returns to the ring for the first time since his defeat to Ryan Rhodes. Moore and Rhodes put on a wonderful show before Moore was knocked down and stopped in the seventh round. He’s subsequently moved up to middleweight and takes on Sergey Khomitski in a ten rounder that he should win with ease.

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