Dennis McCann will get his chance to clean up the one blotch on his 15-0-1 (8 KOs) record when he rematches Ionut Baluta on July 27, 11 months after they battled to a technical draw. The 12-rounder, which is for the vacant European junior-featherweight title, is one of many solid contests on the undercard of Joe Joyce-Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena in London.
Romania’s Baluta, 16-4-1 (3 KOs) and 30 years old, is known in Britain and Ireland for his ability to surprise prospects and contenders. He made his UK debut in 2019 with victory over Kyle Williams and has since derailed TJ Doheny, David Oliver Joyce, Brad Foster and Andrew Cain while making his presence felt in competitive tussles with Michael Conlan, Liam Davies and, most recently, McCann. That bout was curtailed after eight rounds due to a cut on the 23-year-old Londoner’s forehead following a head clash, and two of the three judges couldn’t split them.
Elsewhere on the Queensberry Promotions show, the heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, 9-0 (7 KOs), gets a test of sorts when he takes on the ring-worn Mariusz Wach, 38-10 (20 KOs), over 10 rounds. The 44-year-old Pole, adept at spoiling and surviving, is a long way past his best but likely a sensible step for a talent 25 years his junior.
There’s more competitive fare at junior lightweight. Ryan Garner tests his 15-0 (8 KOs) stats against those of the 25-0 (9 KOs) Archie Sharp in a 10-rounder, and, over eight, the streaking Royston Barney-Smith, who is 10-0 (5), tackles Colombia’s Brian Barajas, 7-0-1 (3 KOs).
Another Colombian gets some action as the 10-0 (6 KOs) Yohana Sarabia is invited to challenge featherweight contender Raven Chapman, 8-0 (2 KOs), over 10-twos while Umar Khan, 9-0 (1), and Aadam Hamed, 1-0 (1 KO), are also set to appear.
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