Boxing News Hall of Fame writer Graham Houston breaks down the light-heavyweight showdown between Lewis Edmondson and Lyndon Arthur in Southampton on Saturday night and provides his tips and prediction.
Lewis Edmondson vs Lyndon Arthur Tips Preview
When we think of a “battle of styles” we’re usually talking about boxer vs puncher. But in Saturday’s light-heavyweight fight between Lewis Edmondson and Lyndon Arthur we have something a little different.
Arthur is the more polished boxer, more of the smooth technician, and he has an excellent jab.
Edmondson isn’t as technically perfect but he gets results with what could be termed “awkward cleverness”.
So, which fighter will be able to impose his style on the other? It’s a tricky one.
The fight is chief support to the Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi match-up but it could be a main event in its own right.
Edmondson, 30, is on home ground at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton. It’s his first hometown bout since his second professional contest. He’ll have the fans behind him.
While Edmondson has had only 12 pro bouts (11-1, 3 KOs) he sees himself as a world-class fighter. He wants the big names at 175lbs and I believe he specifically asked Queensberry Promotions to make the fight with Arthur.
Edmondson is the type of boxer who can frustrate opponents. When he outpointed the physically stronger, tank-like Dan Azeez two years ago he used a crafty, hit-and-move style, switching between the orthodox and southpaw stances.
It was a close fight but Edmondson was clever at landing the more eye-catching punches.
However, when Edmondson faced the towering southpaw Daniel Lapin (stablemate of Oleksandr Usyk) in his last fight he was much more physical and assertive.
Edmondson took the fight to Lapin, roughed him up and bullied him. Lapin got the decision but Edmondson looked unlucky.
Meanwhile, Arthur comes into this bout on the back of one of his best wins when he got off the canvas to win a tight decision over Bradley Rea.
Dropped heavily in the second round, Arthur kept his composure and by the middle rounds he was outworking and outboxing Rea.
Arthur (25-3, 16 KOs) is much more seasoned than Edmondson and he’s boxed at the higher level. He went the full 12 rounds with Dmitrii Bivol in a world title fight and he defeated the dangerous Anthony Yarde in the first of their three fights.
But Arthur is 35. It’s possible Arthur has reached the stage where he could lose at any time.
Lewis Edmondson vs Lyndon Arthur Tale of the Tape
Lewis Edmondson | Lyndon Arthur | |
Record: | 11-1 (3 KOs) | 25-3 (16 KOs) |
Age: | 30 | 35 |
Birthplace: | Southampton, England | Manchester, England |
Height: | 6′ 1″ / 185cm | 6'2″ / 188cm |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Lost (MD) vs Daniel Lapin (July 25) | Won (MD) vs Bradley Rea (Nov 25) |
KO%: | 27.27% | 64% |
Alias: | 'The Saint' | 'King Arthur' |
Lewis Edmondson vs Lyndon Arthur Top Tips
Lewis Edmondson has an unconventional style, he’s tough and he’s confident. And he’s got hometown advantage.
But Arthur is more precise and has the superior textbook skills and he’s got experience on his side.
The biggest danger for Arthur is that he starts slowly and lets Edmondson get comfortable.
We’ve seen Arthur struggle in fights where he was expected to win comfortably. The much less-experienced Boris Crighton gave him problems. Arthur barely edged past Liam Cameron on a split decision. Argentina’s crude but heavy-handed Braian Nahuel Suarez knocked Arthur down.
The upside is that Arthur found a way to win these fights.
If Arthur gets his jab working from the outset and boxes with authority, he should be able to outscore Edmondson. Arthur must maintain his focus, though. He can’t afford to let rounds slip away while he figures things out.
I’m trusting Arthur to box to the full level of his ability and win this fight. I don’t see a stoppage.
If you wish to roll the dice a little, Arthur to win by decision or technical decision at 7/4 is worth consideration but I think the outright price on Arthur is reasonable enough; no need to get fancy.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
