RAUL GARCIA vs NKOSINATHI JOYI

Undefeated southpaws clash in an outstanding fight on Friday when Mexico’s Raul Garcia defends his IBF 105-pound title against local favourite Nkosinathi Joyi in East London, South Africa.

Garcia is making his fifth defence of the title that he won by defeating Florante Condes on a split decision two years ago — but in what could be a revealing form line, Joyi outclassed the Filipino fighter in an IBF elimination bout last June.

In another bout against a common opponent, Joyi stopped Sammy Gutierrez in seven rounds whereas Garcia drew and won narrowly against his fellow-Mexican.

Form, then, clearly favours Joyi, although he was dropped by a body punch in his win over Gutierrez and from what I can gather he was perhaps a little lucky not to have been counted out. Joyi came back strongly, though, and the ability to rally from adversity is the mark of a top-tier boxer.

I haven’t seen Joyi, but from all the reports I have read of him he is a fast, classy fighter who punches powerfully. Joyi had stopped seven opponents in a row before the points win over Condes.

Garcia doesn’t have the flashy skills of Joyi but he is a solid, sturdy technician who places his punches with accuracy, and he is a veteran of championship-distance boxing, having been 12 rounds nine times.

If this fight was in Mexico I would make it close to even money, but in South Africa one has to favour Joyi. He is in red-hot form, and with the crowd behind him I think he will be very hard to beat.

Garcia is a capable, seasoned champion but Joyi has the extra flair and power that should, I think, tip the exchanges in his favour. I will go for Joyi to win a hard-earned decision in a highly entertaining bout.