Dennis McCann vs Ionut Baluta 2 – Who wins the rematch?
Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann (15-0-1, 8KO) will meet Ionut ‘Il Capo’ Baluta (16-4-1, 3KO) for a second time this Saturday night, at the O2 Arena in London, live on TNT Sports.
The super-bantamweights are all set to provide chief support to the heavyweight main event between ‘Juggernaut’ Joe Joyce and Derek ‘WAR’ Chisora.
The first time these warriors clashed in August 2023, they couldn’t be split after nine rounds when a horrendous gash on Maidstone man McCann’s forehead caused the fight to be taken to the scorecards early, which came out as 86-86 twice and 86-85 to the Brit. The cut was sustained in the seventh, the bloodbath eventually stopped in the ninth.
Close to a year later, the stakes are even higher now that the vacant European title is on the line, but who will lift the coveted blue belt? BBN asked their panel of experts for their insight…
Wayne Alexander, Former British, European, World champion: “This fight, I feel, is going to be just like the last one, fast-paced and entertaining as both fighters’ styles are made for each other.
“Baluta has the more experience and was getting on top when McCann received the injury last time out. This really is a pick ’em fight, so I will say that if Dennis doesn’t get cut again, he can win a mini war on points, but this isn’t a confident prediction, as Baluta has a very good chance of pulling off a victory as well.”
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “The first fight was very high-octane and electric until the cut in the seventh round caused the premature, anti-climatic ending.
“Southpaw McCann would evade the first one or two shots coming from Baluta, but then get caught with the third and fourth. Baluta’s style is that he throws in threes and fours, aggressively jumping in and swarming his opponents with a flurry of attacks, and it’s worked to upset so many favourites from the UK.
“Now training under Joe McNally, I’m sure McCann will have made improvements and adjustments to his gameplan to not get caught as often in the rematch. He also has the advantage of having banked 12 rounds against a top British fighter in Brad Strand to win the British super-bantamweight title in March, whereas Baluta hasn’t fought in almost a year.
“I think McCann is young and talented enough to have improved since the first meeting to, this time, be able to gain the upper hand over Baluta, who fought his best fight last time around. I’m picking McCann to win on points.”
Vladimir Zec Vladisavljevic, Boxing pundit: “I think there’s only one thing that makes a critical difference between them, I believe Dennis McCann has the better cardio to offer.
“I say Dennis McCann to win by decision or possibly late stoppage.”
Bogdan Musat, Manager & matchmaker: “I will go, all the time, with my Romanian boy, Ionut Baluta.
“He is a very talented fighter and, in my opinion, from his last eight fights, with opponents from UK and Ireland, he lost only one with Liam Davies. He outboxed Michael Conlan and Dennis McCann in their fights.
“I hope the outcome of his second fight with McCann will make him European champion.”
