RENDALL MUNROE vs SALEM BOUAITA

Rendall Munroe produced a classy display of boxing when he took the European 122-pound title from Spanish banger Kiko Martinez in March and now, barely a month later, he is defending the championship against French veteran Salem Bouaita.

The southpaw Munroe boxed a tactically flawless fight against the heavy-handed Martinez, hitting, moving, running off combinations. Martinez was never allowed to get into position to deliver the sort of bombs that blew Ireland’s Bernard Dunne out of the fight in 86 seconds.

Seeing as Bouaita lost a unanimous to Martinez a couple of years ago the so-called form book indicates a win for Munroe. This is one time when I think that form will prove to be a reliable guide.

Bouaita, 33, looks like a durable sort and his fights usually go the distance. He went nine rounds with the exceptionally aggressive Mahyar Monshipour in one of his two stoppage losses. The only other time that Bouaita lost inside the distance was in England when he seemed to lose concentration after a clash of heads and got hit on the chin by his opponent.

Bouaita’s last two fights were unanimous 12-round decision wins so it seems likely that his fight with Munroe will go the route. I believe that Bouaita will be competitive but Munroe is riding high after his big win over Martinez and the slick southpaw should be able to box his way to a convincing win on points.

RESULT: Munroe TKO7.