Daniel Herbert looks ahead to the Golden Contract tournament semi-finals (over 10 rounds) at featherweight and super-lightweight, which take place this Friday (February 21) at York Hall, Bethnal Green (MTK Global). Sky Sports Action televise in the UK, ESPN+ in the US
FEATHERWEIGHT SEMI-FINALS
RYAN WALSH VS TYRONE McCULLAGH
RYAN WALSH
Cromer
Age: 33 Record: 25-2 (12)
Best win: His fifth-round British title defence stoppage of James Tennyson, who subsequently went on a real tear up at 130lbs.
Worst performance: Was considered by many extremely fortunate to keep his national crown via split decision against Lewis Paulin last year.
BN says: Paulin’s portsided stance and movement troubled Walsh, but at 33 he boasts bags of experience and a stout chin.
TYRONE McCULLAGH
Derry
Age: 29 Record: 14-0 (6)
Best win: When he survived a knockdown to unanimously beat undefeated Scottish hope Joe Ham for the Celtic 122lb belt.
Worst performance: Being taken the full four rounds by soft-chinned Aleksandrs Birkenbergs suggested he’s more boxer than banger.
BN says: Not turning pro until he was nearly 25 has left him relatively fresh, and his southpaw stance also helps make him a dark horse.
JAZZA DICKENS VS LEIGH WOOD
JAZZA DICKENS
Liverpool
Age: 28 Record: 28-3 (11)
Best win: Unanimously beat gritty Josh Wale for the British title, albeit nearly five years ago.
Worst performance: Stepped out of his league and suffered a broken jaw in a two-round loss to brilliant Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.
BN says: Highly experienced southpaw Dickens comes into this on a run of six wins, but may be just a little too shopworn to prevail against fresher foes.
LEIGH WOOD
Gedling
Age: 31 Record: 23-1 (13)
Best win: As recently as four months ago, took the unbeaten record of David Oliver Joyce on a seventh-round stoppage.
Worst performance: Floored and stopped in six by Gavin McDonnell, although that was six years ago and at 122lbs.
BN says: Two knockdowns of the tough Joyce reminded all that the Nottinghamshire boxer has the fight-altering power to handle anyone in this tournament.
SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT SEMI-FINALS
OHARA DAVIES VS JEFF OFORI
OHARA DAVIES
Hackney
Age: 28 Record: 20-2 (15)
Best win: Dropped unbeaten Scouser Tom Farrell five times en route to a dominant sixth-round stoppage in 2017.
Worst performance: After talking a good fight, crumbled to a two-knockdown, seven-round stoppage by Josh Taylor – although it doesn’t look so bad now the Scot’s world champion.
BN says: Definitely the puncher in this line-up, but the Londoner hasn’t always backed up his words in the ring.
JEFF OFORI
Tottenham
Age: 29 Record: 10-1-1 (3)
Best win: His quarter-final against Kieran Gething ended in a draw, but his incessant pressure earned him the referee’s casting vote.
Worst performance: Was convincingly outboxed by smart southpaw Alfie Price for the Southern Area belt down at 135lbs in September.
BN says: Strong and very fit, but his stocky 5ft 7in physique may put him at a disadvantage against naturally bigger foes.
TYRONE McCULLOUGH VS MOHAMED MIMOUNE
TYRONE McKENNA
Belfast
Age: 29 Record: 20-1-1 (6)
Best win: In 2018 he pipped Scottish prospect Lewis Benson over 10 rounds on his own patch in Glasgow.
Worst performance: Floored twice and outpointed by Jack Catterall, although their 10-rounder was still close on the cards.
BN says: Very tall at 6ft 1in, and a southpaw to boot, this experienced Northern Irishman has the tools to provide nightmare opposition.
MOHAMED MIMOUNE
Toulouse
Age: 32 Record: 22-3 (3)
Best win: Back in October 2017, he shockingly outpointed Sam Eggington for the EBU crown up at welterweight.
Worst performance: Outpointed by compatriot Kamal Mohamed in an early-career (2013) eight-rounder; he later avenged the setback.
BN says: Had to get off the deck to stop Darren Surtees, but this tall Frenchman has the southpaw awkwardness plus skill to win the tournament.
