By Ian S Palmer
Junior welterweight Hank Lundy of the U.S. is set to do battle with Olusegun Ajose of Nigeria this Friday night July 19 in Salem, New Hampshire on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Lundy will enter the ring with a 22-3-1 record along with 11 Kos, but he’s lost his last two bouts. Ajose has a 31-1 mark with 14 Kos to his name. The bout will be a 10 rounder
This is about as close to a must-win fight there is for the 29-year-old Lundy of Philadelphia. He needs to beat good opponents like Ajose if he has any hopes of ever getting a world title shot. Lundy has moved up in weight to 140 lbs for the bout, but he did start his career out in the junior welterweight division before dropping down. He feels he’s more powerful and stronger at 140 and he’s going to have to be to beat Ajose.
The 33-year-old Ajose now fights out of London, England and he had a crack at the big time last year when he fought Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse and went toe-to-toe with him. Ajose showed a lot of guts and determination in that bout, but was eventually stopped in the 10th round by the powerful hitting Matthysse.
Ajose is hoping to get a shot at another world title and this is also a must-win for him if his wish is to come true. The African believes the bout with Lundy’s going to be a slugfest and that’s what boxing fans want to see. Lundy is a slightly better boxer than his opponent, but Ajose has the quicker hands. Lundy’s also arguably fought the better opponents throughout his career and could have a very slight edge in experience. However, Ajose is a former Olympian so this could be balanced out.
Neither boxer really has much in the way of power and they’re not the best defensive boxers in the world either, but Lundy is better in that area. Both men can easily be found so there should be a lot of punches thrown and landed in this contest, with Ajose likely throwing more of them, but Lundy being more accurate with his shots. Ajose has the better chin and that’s why he’s the more aggressive boxer here.
Lundy is a little more defensive, but throws slick combinations. He needs to concentrate on the job at hand though and forget about taunting and showboating. He’s got good skills, but sometimes takes rounds off. He needs to keep busy and use angles. If he can land shots and then get out of distance he’ll have a good chance. Olusegun also has to keep busy and be the aggressor, but make sure he’s not careless when moving in especially after being stopped by Matthysse.
It’s a huge fight for both boxers and it should be a close and entertaining contest. However, look for Lundy to lose his third straight as Ajose has the edge in speed and power and will use them to his advantage. Ajose should take this via a late stoppage decision.
