Aggressive Moncrieffe vs experienced Planter

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

The explosive nature of the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series should continue tonight when Devon Moncrieffe, one of the most aggressive participants in the competition, takes on accomplished boxer-puncher Ricardo Planter in the second fight of the quarter-finals, at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium.

There will be two supporting amateur bouts, one of which will be the curtain-raiser (at 8:30 p.m.) to the main event in the television broadcast that starts at 9:30 p.m.

TOP FOUR

The top-four in the Contender series, which is promoted by MJK Productions, sanctioned by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control and sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew, Claro, TVJ and Foska Oats, will share prize money of nearly $2 million, with the winner's purse being $1 million.

There are four fights in this round and last week Rikardo Smith gave Donovan Campbell a boxing lesson, as he blazed his way to a unanimous decision over six rounds.

Tonight, Moncrieffe, who won his first fight against Lloyd Smith by an impressive third round technical knockout (tko), will try to demolish Planter, who is a slick boxer and who also earned his spot in the quarter-finals by way of a tko victory.

In Planter's case, however, his opponent, Patrick Smith, was cut over the left eye and could not continue, so the referee called a halt in the second round.

Moncrieffe, who is not seeded, is regarded as the dark horse in the competition because of his punching power. He does not indulge in the niceties of the sport and has made it clear that his only aim is to knock out his opponent. He is short and stocky and has power in either hand, so whenever he lands a clean punch to the head he can send his opponent into dreamland.

VULNERABILITY

Because of his style, however, he is vulnerable to an opponent who can nullify his aggressive incursions and engage him at long range.

Planter has the capabilities to do so and his experience, both as an amateur and professional, could enable him to get the better of his opponent.

In recent fights, however, Planter has been very tentative and against Miller, for example, he seemed lacking in confidence and took some good shots to the head. If Moncrieffe is able to land those type of punches, however, the night will be an early one for spectators.

The tactics employed by both men will therefore be crucial and Planter has to assert himself early and not allow his opponent to bully him into submission. That is easier to say than to do, however, and Moncrieffe can be expected to go directly after his man as the first bell rings.