MARCUS BROWNE will look to roll back the years, putting his tricky southpaw style into motion, when he faces cruiserweight contender Brandon Glanton this Wednesday.
In this particular matchup, it is perhaps tempting to look at Browne, 25-2 (16 KOs) – a man whose best days came at 175lbs – and arrive at the conclusion that anything close to a dazzling cruiserweight performance, especially at this late stage in his career, is wishful thinking.
But while he would, indeed, be considered a small cruiserweight against the likes of Jai Opetaia, Chris Billam-Smith and even Gilberto Ramirez, there is very little chance that size will play a significant role when he steps into the ring with Glanton, 20-3 (17 KOs).
Rather, it is Browne’s lack of activity in recent years that should represent a point of concern, or at least contribute to a more competitive affair than what might have unfolded five or six years ago.
Back then, the stylish slickster had established himself as a genuine light-heavyweight contender, most notably through his wide unanimous decision victory over Badou Jack.
The one-sided nature of that fight was, of course, facilitated by a particularly horrendous cut that appeared on Jack’s forehead. But still, it must be said that Browne’s pulsating ode to the sweet science was nonetheless a joy to watch.
Unfortunately for him, the American then found himself on the receiving end of an eighth-round finish against Jean Pascal – who just so happened to be juiced up to his eyeballs on performance-enhancing substances – before suffering a far more punishing stoppage defeat to Artur Beterbiev two fights later.
As a result, it is perhaps easy to dismiss Browne as a capable competitor at 200lbs, yet the fact that he has only lost to a drug cheat, and one of the greatest light-heavyweights of all time, should indicate that he has far more to offer than just a few rounds of pitiful resistance.
In fact, it could be said that he possesses the perfect style, or at least something close to it, to outbox someone like Glanton – a fighter who, as evidenced by his defeat to Billam-Smith in April, is strong and aggressive but ultimately one-dimensional.
The nature of Browne’s performance, however, appears to depend largely on his two-year layoff and, most importantly, how much it has affected him.
Taking just under 20 months out of the ring following his defeat to Beterbiev seemed a wise decision, especially given the damage he suffered during their nine-round encounter in 2021.
But the fact that he has not fought since his points victory over Adrian Taylor, a club-level fighter, in August 2023 is where the more active Glanton may find an extra layer of confidence.
Brandon Glanton vs Marcus Browne fight prediction
While Browne’s lack of activity, and indeed lack of meaningful fights at cruiserweight, certainly adds to Glanton’s credentials in this showdown, the 34-year-old should nonetheless have enough experience at the top level to fiddle his way through 10 rounds in Lagos, Nigeria.
As soon as he gets that southpaw jab pumping, and those feet dancing, it could be game over for his less dynamic opponent, who appears likely to suffer his fourth points defeat as a professional.
