Our Experts Decide: MacKenzie vs. Law & Ammann vs. Flanagan
THIS week Australian boxing has two solid Australian title fights taking place, both in Queensland and both on separate bills. The first is on Wednesday night, when highly-touted Kye MacKenzie puts his Australian super featherweight title on the line against a resurgent Waylon Law.
The other takes place this coming Saturday, when long-standing Australian cruiserweight titlist Daniel Ammann puts his impressive domestic record on show once again, when he squares off with the hard-hitting Mark Flanagan for the Australian cruiserweight title.
Aus-Boxing spoke to ten industry insiders and got their thoughts ahead of what should be two equally entertaining and evenly-matched nights of professional boxing.
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 1-3
MacKenzie KO 5 Law: This is an exciting Aussie title fight between two very entertaining young boxers. Waylon Law, 21, is on an impressive three bout winning streak, while Kye MacKenzie, 22, remains undefeated in his career, but is stepping up to his biggest challenge here with Law only the second fighter he’s met with a winning record.
Law is great to watch and anything but MacKenzie punches with power, and could be the real deal, while Law does get hit a lot. I’ll tip MacKenzie to stop it in about five.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: This fight goes one of two ways. Either Mark Flanagan continues the drastic career transformation which has seen him turn into a knockout machine, or Daniel Ammann boxes another quality opponent into a frustrating loss. I wouldn’t be surprised with either, but the sheer gap in experience leave me with Ammann by unanimous decision.
Matt Clark, Manager/Matchmaker – Record: Debut
MacKenzie TKO 6 Law: Two genuinely 50/50 match-ups here for mine, a couple of great fights put together by Angelo Di Carlo. Waylon Law has turned his form around. He’s one of the most exciting “TV fighters” we have in the country.
Kye MacKenzie is one of the hottest prospects going around. This should be brutal, and I don’t think the judges will be required one way or the other. If forced to pick – MacKenzie within six in a back and forth brawl.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: The Townsville fight is all about how Ammann has recovered from his Commonwealth title fight with Conquest. I see this fight as a little similar to Daniel Ammann’s fight against Mostyn Niemann. I think Flanagan will have his moments, but I favour the veteran to get the job done.
Adam Wilcock, Manager/Promoter – Record: 2-2
MacKenzie TKO 8 Law: This fight could be an absolute cracker and is a great match-up. The last three fights since a change of trainer have seen a new Waylon Law. Fit, durable, slick and fast, if what we’ve seen in the last six months enters the ring on Wednesday then we have a real fight on our hands.
MacKenzie will be fancied as the favourite and who really knows how good this boy is? Unbeaten in nine with seven knockouts, being stepped up nicely but with no real challenges to date. That said, he’s done everything asked and got most of his opponents out of there early. I like Waylon to outbox most in the country at this weight, but when tipping this fight I’m still haunted by the vision of his last fight against Ramirez.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: This could go either way and will show everyone where Flanagan is placed. This is a real treat for boxing fans and will be shown on www.liveboxing.com.au. For me, Daniel Ammann is probably the most under-rated boxer in the country with a 29-6-1 career record. Look further into his record and it screams at you that this guy is a class act.
In thirty-six professional fights he’s only ever faced five boxers with a negative win/loss record, in days of padded records that is amazing. In his six defeats, going into the fight his opponents in these contests have a combined 69-5 record, not to mention an amazing 10-1 record in Australian title fights with only loss being to Brad Pitt.
Flanagan has youth on his side, also has massive punching power and the fight is in his home town. Three big advantages against a very seasoned opponent in Ammann who is coming off a loss. Flanagan will need to get an early stoppage to win, I’m just not sure he will find it as easy to catch Ammann as he has his recent opponents.
Brendan Bourke, Manager/Agent – Record: 3-1
MacKenzie UD 10 Law: Kye is in his biggest test to date up against a much improved Waylon. Looking forward to this fight, but I think MacKenzie has the edge in both speed and power.
Kye MacKenzie is one of the hottest prospects going around. This should be brutal, and I don’t think the judges will be required one way or the other. If forced to pick – MacKenzie within six in a back and forth brawl.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: I think it’ll be boxing ability over power as my pick here, as Ammann has the footwork and distance management to put Flanagan off his power game.
Lim Jeka, Trainer – Record: Debut
MacKenzie TKO Law: I think MacKenzie’s punching power will be too much and he will eventually break Law down – that’s if he doesn’t catch him early in the fight.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: Ammann is a cagey fighter and most don’t realize until this until they get in there with him. He doesn’t look like he does anything extra special from the outside but he seems to know how to win and he is very strong for his weight.
Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 2-2
MacKenzie KO Law: Like the Flanagan-Ammann fight, I think this fight will be a true indicater as to where MacKenzie is at. I truly believe Kye could be a world title challenger in the very near future if he stays focused. Law is probably the most improved fighter in Australia at the moment.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: This fight will show Australia where Flanagan is at and give a true insight to how awkward and skilled Ammann is. I don’t see what most think, who are tipping a knockout win to Flanagan. I think Ammann will be a little too experienced for Flanagan on this occasion.
George Reno, Trainer – Record: Debut
Law UD 10 MacKenzie: I think Waylon Law will be too fight-hardened and experience for Kye MacKenzie. He’ll win by points.
Flanagan KO Ammann: I like Mark Flanagan by knockout. He looks very strong at cruiserweight. Maybe the winner can fight David Aloua.
Sam Labruna, Trainer – Record: 4-0
Law UD 10 MacKenzie: I haven’t seen much of Waylon Law or Kye MacKenzie, but in my opinion – they are both lacking in the defence department – but both show good aggression on the front foot which will make for a good TV fight. I’m going out on a limb here, but I think Law will score an unanimous points win over MacKenzie.
I think the longer the fight stays on the inside the better for Waylon, it’s a great match up and these two styles are made for a war.
Flanagan KO Ammann: I really like the match-up between Ammann and Flanagan – it’s set for a great fight. I think Flanagan will cut the ring and restrict Ammann from too much movement and stop him. That said, Ammann is tough and very awkward but Flanagan is a power house at cruiser weight, great match-up.
Billy Hussein, Trainer – Record: 2-0
MacKenzie UD 10 Law: I like Kye MacKenzie in this one. He’s made a great start to his professional career, and will be looking to make a big impression in his first Australian title fight at super featherweight.
Waylon Law has been a good solid pro with a run of losses in the middle of his career. But he has won his most recent bouts including beating Brent Elliot, who he had lost. Law should provide a pretty solid test but I predict MacKenzie to successfully defend his Australian title.
Ammann UD 10 Flanagan: Daniel Ammann has been solid at cruiserweight for a long time now, including winning and defending the Australian title numerous times. Mark Flanagan has some good wins at Cruiserweight and a great knockout win over Andrew Green in his last bout.
Experience might be the difference here with Ammann having nearly twice the amount of professional fights as Flanagan, plus experience at the higher level such as his Commonwealth title challenge as well as a fight in Germany in 2009.
Ammann is patient, picks his openings and is also very good defensively. Flanagan has good movement and skills also, but I expect Ammann to win a close unanimous decision in an entertaining fight.
Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 1-3
MacKenzie UD 10 Law: Waylon Law has really lifted his game since joining forces with Damien Smith and also seems to have settled down outside of the ring too. I think Kye MacKenzie needs to stay on Law’s chest for the whole fight and take his length away from him – which I think he will for ten rounds.
Flanagan TKO 8 Ammann: Another exiting fight for Aussie boxing fans. We all know that Ammann is a quality boxer and has handled big hitters before but I think Flanagan is superior and will come out on top. The fight will be a little awkward at first for both, but I’m sure Flanagan will find the spot.
Photos: Photography by Rockfingrz/NJR Photography