Fabio Turchi v Tommy McCarthy: boxing tips and predictions

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Fabio Turchi to win by KO
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Fight preview

Belfast cruiserweight prospect Tommy McCarthy has a chance to make a breakthrough victory for the WBC International title in front of the Sky Sports cameras, but his big night could be ruined by 'Stone Crusher' Fabio Turchi in Italy.

McCarthy, an 11-4 underdog, had a similar opportunity in March for the WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title against Richard Riakporhe in Peterborough.

That was a 50-50 fight according to the odds, but McCarthy fancied his chances of beating Riakporhe, saying: "I think he’s limited, he’s like a big novice boxer if you watch him. He has seven knockouts but he hasn’t fought anybody. That last knockout against Sam Hyde wasn’t a knockout because Sam had to be pulled out by his corner because he had a bad injury."

Riakporhe knocked down McCarthy and stopped him in four rounds.

His assessment of his latest opponent is strikingly similar. "Turchi boxes at a low pace, he's upright and has basic shots – one-two-right hook – so it'll be easy for me to judge and get the distance,” McCarthy told The Irish News.

"He hasn't had any real stiff opposition at all and anyone he's hit has more or less just thrown themselves to the ground. Tony Conquest was his only real fight and he was doing well up until he got an eye injury.”

Turchi is undefeated with 17 wins (13 KOs), while McCarthy has 15 wins and two defeats. As well as the Riakporhe loss, he was also down twice in the fourth round against Matty Askin in 2016, although he survived to the final bell and was beaten on the scorecards.

McCarthy, who recently began training under experienced Dublin coach Pete Taylor - father of Katie Taylor - tasted victory on Italian soil in his last fight with a two-round win over Francesco Cataldo, but this looks a much tougher challenge.

Reece Bellotti is expected to have a better night and is 2-5 to beat Francesco Grandelli for the vacant WBC International silver featherweight title on the undercard, while Gevorg Khatchikian is 1-4 to defeat Matteo Signani for the vacant European middleweight belt.

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