The experts predict a win for Eggington
Sam Eggington…set to go to war again on Saturday
SATURDAY’S Bournemouth battle between our own Sam Eggington and huge punching Joe Pigford has captured the imagination of fans and the fight fraternity.
It’s an explosion waiting to happen – a mouth-watering scrap, screened on Sky Sport, that pits Sam’s toughness and experience against the Southampton man’s lights-out power. Pigford has won all 20 pro bouts, 19 by stoppage.
The national press appear to be favouring Pigford. But my strawpoll of local experts, has come down firmly on the side of Stourbridge’s Sam.
Either way, the scheduled 10 rounder is a must-watch contest.
Adam Harper….”Pigford won’t bully Sam”
Adam Harper, Tewkesbury’s former English light-middleweight champ: “I think Eggington will win, but the early rounds are going to be dangerous. Pigford’s not going to be able to bully Sam and he’s never been tested in late championship rounds. But we also have to ask, how much has Eggington got left? I heard Jon Pegg say this week that he was better than ever. Sorry, but I find that hard to believe.”
Kane Baker…”I see a right tear-up”
Kane Baker, Birmingham’s junior-lightweight contender and former Midlands champ: “Eggington stoppage – up The Savage. I see a right tear-up, Sam in trouble, Pigford in trouble, then Sam finding that little bit extra late on.”
Tommy Langford…”Sam has been to the well time and time again”
Tommy Langford, Birmingham’s former British middleweight champ: “There’s no doubt it is going to be exciting – that’s because it involves Sam Eggington. And Pigford’s the same way.
“Eggington has a hell of a lot of experience in big fights, Pigford hasn’t. I’m going for Eggington, even though his career has been much harder and longer. Importantly, it’s been much busier.
“Pigford has stopped a lot of opponents, but you have to look at the level of competition. Eggington has done it at a higher level, Pigford hasn’t done it yet over the championship distance. Early doors is always dangerous against a puncher, but I back Eggington to wear him down in the late rounds. He’s been to the well time and time again.”
Jason Lowe…”Sammy has to keep it long”
Jason Lowe, trainer, MC and co-boss of Birmingham’s award-winning WBC gym: “Pigford is a banger, you can’t get away from that. If Sammy Eggington can keep it at long range, he’ll win on points. If Pigford can get him to stand still and trade, Sammy could be in trouble. I think Sam has to make it a chess match.
“Pigford’s a banger, he’s capable of stopping people with both hands. If Sammy stays long, I go for him. I just hope Sammy doesn’t trade.”
Richie Carter…”Sam’s a tough cookie”
Richard Carter, former Wolverhampton pro, now a leading trainer: “Pigford has to get Sam out of there early, that’s his game. But Sam is a tough old cookie and if he takes it beyond rounds five or six it will be a different story. Once you’re in those championship rounds, it’s very different.
“Pigford’s very heavy handed, but sometimes all those early stoppages don’t do a fighter any good in the long run. What they might have done is think they’ve taken the fight at the right time and Sam’s there for the taking. I don’t buy it – he’s still young, hungry and tough.
“From the moment they set the camp up, I think Jon Pegg and the rest of the team would’ve been preparing for that early onslaught.”
Frankie Gavin…”Sam will grind him down”
Frankie Gavin, Birmingham’s former amateur world champ and British pro welterweight titleholder: “I think Sam will grind him down. Joe hasn’t fought much and most of his opponents have been stopped before, so, for me, most of his stoppages don’t stand out.
“As long as Sam turns up and pays him early respect, I think Sam does him in eight.”
Kevin McCauley…”it’s such a difficult one to call”
Kevin McCauley, Stourbridge’s “king of the journeymen” who amassed a staggering 251 pro bouts: “It’s such a difficult one to call. I’ve fought Sam and sparred Joe. Joe punches harder, a lot harder. But Sam’s boxing ability has increased a lot over the last few years. It really is a hard one to call.
“It’s definitely one I’m looking forward to. I think Joe stops Sam between rounds six to eight or Sam wins on points.”
Anthony Manning…”my heart says Sam”
Anthony Manning, former pro fighter, now promoter and manager: “You have to give Sam credit where credit is due – and he can get the job done.
“Pigford hasn’t fought at the same high level, but 19 knockouts out of 20 fights speak for themselves because – no matter the calibre of the opposition – you are doing the same job every time. He has been able to land that shot 19 times out of 20.
“You have to respect Sam. He’s been around the block and back. Pigford is the man with the backing and they’ve picked Sam because they believe he can be beaten and that win will push on Pigford’s career. My heart says Sam.”
Wayne Elcock…”Sam will have to ride the Pigford storm”
Wayne Elcock, Birmingham’s former British middleweight champ, now a trainer: “It certainly looks like a another tough job for Sam and it’s in the other fighter’s backyard, but we know that's nothing new for Eggington. He has often had to do things the hard way throughout a stellar career and, I believe, Pigford will not have faced anyone like Eggington or faced anywhere near the same calibre of opponents Sam has.
“Pigford is a known fast starter, but has yet to go over six rounds, where you have to get in the trenches like Eggington has many times and that's where Sam has to take him.
“I believe Pigford will be very dangerous in the first half of this fight and Sam will have to box smart, but also work with him and let Pigford know he is still there.
“Let’s not forget Sam also carries a punch, with a respectable 19 inside distance wins, and has the power to turn things his way at any moment.
“I have no doubt Sam will have to ride the Pigford storm, but I’m certain at the end of the bout Joe will have had his chin and workrate tested like never before.
“This fight has the makings of yet another fight of the year contender involving Sam, a fighter who often thrives when he has an opponent in front of him like Joe, who comes to fight.
“It’s a tough call, but I’m going to go for Eggington to come through this with either a mid to late stoppage or a close points victory over the 10 rounds.”