Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler Preview
Stephen McKenna and Lee Cutler clash for the WBC International Silver Super Welterweight title on December 14th. Both men are in the youth of their career and a win would catapult them into contention for a major title.
This is the biggest contest in McKenna and Cutler’s career so far. Can McKenna defend his title at the first time of trying, or will Cutler become a double champion at Liverpool’s Exhibition Centre?
Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler Predictions
Fight outcome: Stephen McKenna via KO/TKO
This is a real glimpse into the future in a clash between two up-and-coming fighters. In his last fight, Lee Cutler became the English super welterweight champion, climbing another rung on the ladder. ‘Chaos’ now wants to add his first world-org belt to his collection, but he faces the toughest opponent of his career so far in Stephen McKenna.
McKenna claimed his first career title when he defeated Joe Laws for the WBC International Silver Super Welterweight belt in July. The Hitman is one of Ireland’s brightest prospects and has barrelled through the competition since signing a promotional contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. Despite the Englishman’s talent, McKenna’s ceiling looks much higher than Cutler’s. Our boxing prediction is for Stephen McKenna to defend his title in Liverpool.
McKenna’s skill set blends power and precision with strong footwork. The Hitman’s strikes are measured, yet he always searches for the finish. His knockout record is excellent, boasting 14 stoppages in his 15 professional fights. The Irishman will walk Cutler down and patiently wait for the knockout strike.
McKenna will control the ring and tee off on Cutler. His footwork is superior and the power, speed, and precision of his punches will make Cutler feel like he is drowning. The Hitman will pressure Chaos relentlessly, leading to a big finish. However, he cannot afford to become too trigger-happy.
Cutler’s style is more of a counter-puncher. His defence is solid and he will be expecting McKenna to push the pace in this fight. Chaos will look for openings to the body to push the Irishman back, something The Hitman must be wary of. Cutler has proven just how vicious his strikes to the body have been in previous fights and they could swing the fight in his favour if McKenna cannot keep him at range.
However, the Englishman’s chin has to be a worry. Although he has picked up one defeat in 15 pro fights, the manner of this loss was rough. Bradley Rea knocked Cutler to the canvas three times in the first round. It is tough for the best fighters in the world to recover from three knockdowns and Cutler was not up to the challenge. McKenna is the most powerful puncher he has faced since that loss, and this could be a stylistic nightmare for the Brit.
Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler Fight Outcome
Stephen McKenna will push the pace in this bout. He will cut the ring off, pushing Cutler back against the ropes and into corners. His footwork and speed will allow The Hitman to remain elusive and keep out of Cutler’s range. That will be particularly important when the Brit goes to the body. Chaos will look to stay in the fight and work the Irishman down with body shots before stealing later rounds.
However, McKenna can avoid being dragged into a dogfight. His knockout record is nearly impeccable and Cutler already has a KO loss on his CV. The Hitman will break Cutler down before looking to end the fight in the mid-rounds. His power advantage will be too much for the Brit and McKenna will keep his title and undefeated record.
Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler Betting Tips
Stephen McKenna is the firm favourite for this fight, worth 2/11 for anyone betting on boxing. He is undefeated, and a title defence here would propel him into the conversation for a major title. The Irishman should not run into many issues in this fight, and the outlook is that his future is brighter than Cutler’s. However, there is not enough value in backing the Irishman in this market.
Lee Cutler is worth 16/5 with our online bookmaker if you think he can cause the upset. He is on a seven-fight win streak and has just one defeat in his career. Chaos is a talented fighter and won’t be short of confidence heading into this bout. He may be the underdog, but there is no doubt that he has a high ceiling. A €10 bet on Cutler would return €32 plus your stake.
You can achieve better returns by betting on the method of victory in this fight. McKenna has won every fight in his pro career and finished all but one of them. He carries excellent power behind his punches and now fights in the second ten-rounder of his career. We struggle to see Cutler lasting all 10 rounds. Bet on McKenna to win via KO/TKO.
Cutler has three 10-round fights under his belt, going the distance in two. McKenna’s inexperience in these longer bouts means he may start slower than we are used to seeing. It could be beneficial to wait until the second or third round and check out our live betting markets.
Stephen McKenna vs Lee Cutler Key Stats
Lee Cutler enters this fight with a 14-1-0 record. He has a 50% knockout rate with seven stoppages via KO/TKO but has not stopped an opponent in any of his previous four fights. Chaos is a talented counterpuncher with sound fundamentals and footwork. His patented body shots have dropped several opponents and he will rely heavily on body work in this fight.
Cutler defeated Kingsley Egbunike via a unanimous decision in his previous fight. He edged out his countryman in a tight contest in what was one of the biggest tests of his career so far. Chaos got his hands on the English super welterweight title in victory and now has his sights set on a second belt in Liverpool.
Stephen McKenna has a perfect 15-0-0 record, winning 14 of his fights via KO/TKO. He is on a streak of six straight stoppage victories. The Hitman is imposing at 6’0 and can push his opponent’s back with lengthy jabs. He carries dangerous power in his hooks and will look to finish this fight in the middle rounds.
McKenna is coming off of an astonishing fight with Josh Laws in July. Both fighters were knocked down in the first round before the Irishman gained the upper hand. He dropped Laws three times in round three before the Englishman’s corner threw in the towel. McKenna claimed the WBC International Silver Super Welterweight in victory.
