MALCOLM KLASSEN vs MANUEL MEDINA

Manuel Medina, at the age of 37 and after a professional boxing career spanning an astonishing 22 years, makes one last attempt to secure a world title fight when he meets Malcolm Klassen in an IBF junior lightweight title eliminator in South Africa today, and he is a big underdog.

Medina has pulled off surprises before, notably when he outscored -700 betting favourite Scott Harrison in Glasgow five years ago. He has won several world titles and has had numerous 12-round championship fights, and he has fought big names such as Naseem Hamed, Juan Manuel Marquez and Johnny Tapia (and I thought he clearly beat Tapia in their fight at Madison Square Garden although he didn’t get the decision).

All things must end, though, and I get the impression that Medina is at the end of the long road. He hasn’t boxed for a year, and in his last fight he lost every round of his IBF eliminator in South Africa against Cassius Baloyi before a clash of heads caused the bout to be stopped after three rounds, with Medina suffering a cut. The bout was ruled a technical draw and allowed Medina to come back for another elimination bout.

Klassen is a former IBF 130-pound champion, having outpointed veteran Gairy St. Clair to win the title in November 2006. It was a tough fight and I think that Klassen came back to defend the title a little too soon, after just five months, because he faded in the late rounds and lost a split decision to South African rival Mzonke Fana.

A fast, sharp boxer, Klassen has been looking good since the loss to Fana, having stopped his last three opponents. I think he is too young and too fresh for Medina, who looked like an old fighter when he was worn down and stopped by Baloyi in their previous meeting on Wednesday Night Fights two years ago.

Due to his pride and vast experience I am expecting Medina to hold off Klassen for several rounds but I do think that the younger man will gradually take over the fight and I think that the Mexican veteran’s long run at the world-class level will come to an end around the 10th round.