Lejarraga vs. Metcalf

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Lejarraga vs. Metcalf
James Metcalf, DEC
@Mikey any idea who takes it?

Lejarraga is too much for Metcalf.


He's the toughest opponent in his career. Having better chin and better KO power. 
Anything can happen, but Metcalfs win is not a predictable thing.

Noriega Punches Harder but not hard enough to KO even old Moreno. Think he will win by decision. If betting: fight goes to decision

Out of all the boxing main events this weekend my favourite B Side underdog is JJ Metcalf.

JJ has a terrific engine, good inside fighting and body attack. Of course, this fight is taking place in Spain. Bilboa to be precise, which is Kermans home where he has been headlining and selling out the Arena for the past 5 years.  You know what that menas don't you?  Yup, JJ gonna need to knock his ass out because he aibt getting No decision!!!
This is possible, JJ will need to be at his very best and utilise his best tools.  That cardio, volume and body attack!  Kerman is a real fun action fighter, I actually enjoy watching his fights.  A supreme technical boxer he is not! He loves a tear up and will happily stand toe to toe, head to head and swang away!  I would not say he has a better chin than JJ.  I mean aprt from the obvious 2 KO losses to Avanesyan(no shame but the 2ns loss in particular was a destruction!) but his recent fight vs Charrat he was getting pieced up for large parts of the fight and you can easily argue he should have lost though it was close. What stands out to me more is thye Jez Smith fight. Smith, a fringe British level guy, came in on a week notice and dropped Kerman multiple times with uppercuts. He gassed out and as soon as he took a couple clean shots the Spanish ref couldn't stop it quicker!!

Again, I like Kerman, he is a very fun action fighter.  He has been involved in some great fights and also has some highlight reel KO's( check out the right hand that he stretched Flatley out with last year!). 
I just think he is vulnerable.  I mean do you not think there's a reason why he has been kept at European level for so long? He has over 30 wins, has been European Champ multiple times at 2 weights but never fights anyone who is World rated. The 1 guy who was close to World level, Avanesyan stretched him out x2!!!

JJ Metcalf has it all to do.  He wont outbox , out slick and outpoint his way to a decision, especially in a Bilboa Arena packed with 10,000 Kerman fanatics!  No, JJ is gonna have to get involved in a war and try to outwork Kerman.  Throw in combination and fpr sure target the body!  His main focus should be to push Lejaraja to breaking point and count on being in better condition(he looks in great shape BTW!)

So yeah, JJ Metcalfe by KO rounds 9-12 is my underdog shot of the weekend.

PS   In no way am I suggesting that you take my advice for gambling!!!  

Thanks Mike, you've made me think one more time about this fight

Migues will win as it seems to me.

Will he KO Moorcroft? Possible, his punch is not so heavy, but Moorcroft mainly fought with guys with even weaker punches, and the only guy who had a bit harder punch than Miquez KOed Moorcroft

So gambling on Fight Time there is a coin flip.

Miguez win by decision seems like a better bet for me having a better coef of 2,875 in comparison to Miguez by KO for 1,5 decimal.

But if you're not sure, better skip.

* Edited at 05.19.2022, 7:43 AM ET *

JJ over Lejarraga is certainly a good shout. I really like his fights and the atmosphere in Bilbao is always good but he's equal parts dangerous and vulnerable. The thing is that JJ has also been in some very tough fights lately, his fight with Cheeseman had a lot of action and he got stopped, so I'm thinking he's also probably on the slide. Kerman's style is all about hitting and getting hit so if he really wants it I'm sure Metcalf could pull out the upset. It's gonna be a very good fight regardless though. 

Lejarraga vs. Metcalf
I have got Kerman Lejarraga at -180. He has a sophisticated armpit slam and a uppity inverted facelock and also an amazing spinning back fist. Lejarraga ought to operate the Octagon.

Moreno vs. Noriega
I prefer Jairo Noriega at -450. He has a kooky kneebar and a qualified fallaway moonsault slam. Noriega might finish the rival.

Official decision for Luna/Urrutia is a majority decision for Luna.

Jon Miguez looks good. I love boxers with his style. All offense, throws in combination, targets the body, breaks down his opponent!

Definitely a future European Champion, possibly a World contender? 

Can JJ Metcalf pull off the Unexpected victory in the backyard of home based Boxer, Kerman Lejarraga in Bilbao this evening... Mikey seems to think he has a chance... So do I, but he probably needs to do it via KO/TKO... One thing is for sure, Metcalf is in shape and has the Boxing pedigree to make this a tough night for the heavy handed, but heavily flat footed Spaniard... Jez Smith dropped Lejarraga twice in their bout in April of last year, before tiring and going on to be stopped. Personally, I think Metcalf can be even better this evening, but he has to apply an excellent defense throughout, because Lejarraga can definitely punch... This fight given both of their styles could easily be a bar burner and I am anticipating a late finish in the contest either way... Let battle commence and the best man win, but don't be surprised to see an upset is all I am stating 💯🤔🥊🥊👊

JJ Metcalf can definitely do this, so long has he uses good boxing IQ and remains patient before unleashing power shots when finding the openings... Lejarraga's right eye looks badly marked up... This is a 50/50 contest going into the second half of the contest... Lejarraga is feeling the pace that Metcalf is setting with his Boxing ability and foot movement though for sure 💯🤔🥊🥊👊

Right, last round. I have JJ up 7 to 2. Lejarraga has won 3 at most.

All JJ has to do is stay on his feet. But of course he's got a bigger opponent to come. Those feckin Judges.!!!!

They better not Rob the man!!!

Find out in a few minutes 

On ye go JJ!!!!

I thought he'd need the KO to get the win. I certainly didn't think he'd use a jab and move style to win a clear decision!!! 

Mikey calling the upsets yet again. Wondering if he’s picking Moore to beat Mayweather this weekend as well.

In a closely fought contest, the right man, from the UK came away with the deserved victory on points... Just... Good to see that the judges scored the victory to the correct combatant, but has always, Lejarraga played his part and is a true Spanish Boxing hero and fighting man, who gives it his all every time he steps in the ring... Well done to both Boxers, JJ Metcalf, you did yourself, family, boxing team, boxing fans and the UK proud, especially with the fact that you were fighting on away territory, where it is very difficult to pick up a points victory 💯🤔🥊🥊👊