
Through 26 fights, Jack Rafferty has very much lived up to his ring moniker ‘Demolition Man,’ having bulldozed his way to an undefeated record with 17 knockouts including a current streak of six straight stoppages.
In trying to take his fight profile to another level, Rafferty will put his British and Commonwealth super lightweight titles on the line against a durable Mark Chamblerlain this weekend. It all takes place Saturday night at Planet Ice in Altrincham, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN .
The 29-year-old Rafferty last produced a fifth-round TKO of Cory O'Regan in April, while Chamberlain (17-1, 12 KOs) is fresh off a points win over Miguel Angel Scaringi that same month in rebounding from a unanimous decision loss to Josh Padley last fall.
A convincing win would propel either man deeper into the contending picture at 140 pounds. With both boxers expecting an explosive bout, DAZN News 's Mark Lelinwalla analyzes the Keys to Victory for Rafferty and Chamberlain here, breaking down each fighter’s tactics along the way.
Watch Jack Rafferty cut off the ring in many of his fights and it is not a pretty sight.
The 5-foot-9 super lightweight does not rely on herky jerky movements, a ton of feints or changing of levels.
He simply walks opponents down even if the stalking motion leaves him vulnerable to eating shots along the way.
The faster Rafferty could walk Mark Chamberlain down, the quicker he could force-feed him a buffet of loaded, heavy-handed punches.
In stalking opponents methodically around the ring, Rafferty sometimes puts himself in an early hole.
This was essentially the case against Henry Turner last October when Rafferty spent a few rounds just dedicated in chopping the ring real estate in half. In doing so, Rafferty’s hands became stiff and gunshy.
He cannot afford to have this happen against Chamberlain who is going to create pressure himself.
Rafferty must let his hands go earlier and deliver a higher punch output to better his chances in this bout.
All too often, Rafferty shows a willingness to take one to land one.
Hey, the strategy has worked in the form of a 26-0 record. But it is a strategy that could be very costly if an opponent meets him at the line and conjures the kind of blow that alters the direction of the fight and perhaps even ‘Demolition Man’s’ career.
In encroaching and forcing opponents into cramped quarters, Rafferty must show better care with his guard and punch placement.
Jack Rafferty is all too comfortable walking opponents down and forward fighting. Now, Mark Chamberlain has vowed to not take a back step to his fellow Brit and to truly live up to his words, he must meet the ‘Demolition Man’ with instant resistance at the line.
If Rafferty is hell-bent on stalking, Chamberlain has to tender real-time receipts of crisp shots and combinations that put the British and Commonwealth champ on the back foot.
Forcing Rafferty onto the back foot would not only frustrate him but it could win Chamberlain respect, rounds and possibly even the fight.
It is no secret that Rafferty is going to try to mow Chamberlain down with bullish forward fighting.
That puts the onus on Chamberlain to set traps which could come in the form of a feint or disguising of a punch.
If he could get a stalking Rafferty to bite and take the bait via either avenue, Chamberlain would be in position to serve just the counterpunch to stun the ‘Demolition Man.’
As he seeks out his offense, Chamberlain is often guilty of standing too upright.
This leaves the southpaw’s head high and chin exposed which could spell trouble as Rafferty is in possession of a whiplashing, thunderous right hand that can go around guards and split them altogether.
Just as Rafferty must be mindful over the way he maneuvers his way inside, Chamberlain has to be the same.
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