Abubaker v Fail is a sure-fire blockbuster

Amir Abubaker and Manning…on the big stage. Picture: Inga Zulyte

PREPARE for an absolute blockbuster.

Amir Abubaker, the Kurdish KO artist who oozes ring menace, has been given the coming-of-age fight he’s craved. And it’s going to be explosive.

In a battle of big punchers, the Coventry barber will face Northampton’s Ben Fail on Queensberry’s huge July 26 show at Bournemouth International Centre.

The stats tell you all you need to know. Abubaker, aged 25, has won six of his nine contests early. Southpaw Fail, 28, has stopped five of nine.

To repeat a well-worn boxing adage, “someone’s 0 has got to go” – probably in spectacular fashion.

It will be Abubaker’s first fight on a truly major arena show – and those watching on DAZN should brace themselves for violent drama.

“Right place, right time,” said Abubaker’s manager Anthony Manning of the mouth-watering match-up. “Get it right on the night and you’ll see him on the big stage more often.”

The bout is billed as a defence of Amir’s Midlands light-middleweight title, but I feel it’s worth a loftier status because of the opportunities that await the winner.

I understand there’s a push to make the battle a British or English title eliminator.

Birmingham manager Manning said: “I truly believe in Amir’s ability. He doesn’t come to take part, he wants to be in the thick of it.

“He has disposed of the people he’s been in with quite easily, I don’t think you’ve seen the best of him.”

Fail will bring out the best.

“I’ve followed Ben Fail since the amateur days, I know quite a bit about him,” Manning said. “He seems a really nice lad, but this is a collision course. It’s snakes and ladders – if you want to move on you need to beat this lad.”

It Abubaker is successfully, Manning will push for a straight shot at the British title.

He added: “You look at the division and everyone has their strengths and weaknesses – you have to work on both.

“I’ve seen Amir do a bit of everything, he’s always consistent and applies himself properly. So how can you put a ceiling on what he can achieve? I’d like to say the sky’s the limit.”

Never mind the sky, if Abubaker beats Fail he’s reaching for the stars.