Experienced Hylton favoured to beat off challenge by debutant

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

Following last week's thriller between Ramel Lewis and Derrick Spencer that had spectators cheering non-stop, Kevin Hylton will be making a valiant effort to stave off the challenge of Ian Guthrie tonight when the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series continues at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium.

The 16-week series, which is promoted by MJK Productions, sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew, Foska Oats and TVJ, with the approval of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, is now into its seventh week and the action starts at 8:30, with the televised main bout scheduled for 9:30.

More experienced hylton

Hylton has been installed favourite, mainly because he is more experienced than Guthrie, who will be making his professional debut. He has good boxing skills, but is always reluctant to initiate action, relying primarily on his counter-punching skills.

Guthrie, on the other hand, likes to make the first move and will quite likely be the one who goes on the attack in the early rounds. He will not find it easy to corner Hylton, and tonight's fight may not generate the excitement produced last week when Lewis earned a unanimous decision after six thrilling rounds, but fans should nevertheless see a keenly contested encounter.

Next week will see the end of the eight-week preliminaries, after which the eight boxers remaining will be seeded. A draw will then take place to decide who will go against each other, and the winners will move into the semi-finals.

The two fights in the semis will be over eight rounds and the final fight will be over 10 rounds.

The winner of the competition will be crowned Wray and Nephew Welterweight Contender 2012 and take home a million dollars. The second-place boxer will get $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.