N'Dam N'Jikam-Stevens: B-Scene Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

ESPN2 breaks from its normal programming schedule to present world class boxing action on back-to-back Wednesdays in October.

It helps the network that the headlining acts for each show are directly tied to one another, beginning with the October 1 special edition of Friday Wednesday Night Fights. An intriguing middleweight clash pits former titlist Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam and contender/gatekeeper Curtis Stevens in a final middleweight title eliminator at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

The winner will go on to face whoever leaves the ring with the title in the October 8 clash between defending titlist Sam Soliman and faded former lineal champion Jermain Taylor.

N’Dam N’Jikam (30-1, 18KOs) managed to shine among a strong middleweight field during the 2004 Athens Olympics, advancing to the quarterfinals before being shown the exit by eventual Gold medal winner Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov.

His pro career thus far has been a respectable one, though a tad short of confirmed status as an elite middleweight. The French-Cameroonian enjoyed a brief stay as middleweight titlist, before relinquishing his belt to Peter Quillin. His fighting heart was on display, rising from six knockdowns to otherwise offer a competitive performance in terms of rounds won.

N’Dam N’Jikam has since won three straight heading into Wednesday’s title fight.

Stevens (27-4, 20KOs) has taken the scenic route on the path to contention, but doesn’t plan on going away, at least not quietly. Once a former amateur standout, Stevens and former “Chin Checkers” running mate Jaidon Codrington were quickly devoured whole by the sport, never living up to their full potential, or at least the levels to which they were heavily hyped.

A loss to Jesse Brinkley in 2010 seemed to spell the end for Stevens, but instead served as a major wakeup call. He has since won six of his past seven starts since returning to the ring in 2012, the resurgence in large part due to his allegiance with Main Events. The squat Brooklynite had motivation to take his career seriously, and has rewarded the New Jersey-based promoter with a series of highlight reel knockouts as part of its NBC Sports Network Fight Night series.

The lone loss in his second life as a boxer came last November, as he was stopped in eight rounds by undefeated middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin. Despite the one-sided affair, Stevens was lauded for his courage, which was once again on full display in perhaps the biggest win of his career—rallying back to stop previously undefeated Tureano Johnson in the final minute of their unforgettable 10-round thriller this past April.

The perception heading into Wednesday’s fight is that N’Dam N’Jikam merely needs to box his way to victory, while Stevens lends literal definition to the term “puncher’s chance” in his best hopes of a win.

So who will come out on top in a fight many view as a pick-‘em? Read on to find out how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes Wednesday’s middleweight action plays out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS – HASSAN N’DAM N’JIKAM vs. CURTIS STEVENS

Jake Donovan (N’Dam N’Jikam UD): The bout is a virtual coin toss, with the obvious wild card whether or not Stevens can land a home run shot at some point. He has 12 rounds to do so, and a reportedly tiny ring works in his favor. Still, I can’t help but think N’Dam N’Jikam has learned from past mistakes, and will make sure that doesn’t happen. A few shaky moments are survived as the former champ scores a well-earned decision and awaits next week’s outcome to learn his fate.

Ryan Maquiñana (N’Dam N’Jikam W12): This has the potential to be a redux of N'Dam hitting the canvas multiple times like he did against Peter Quillin given Stevens' knockout power, but I think we see a more relaxed, focused Frenchman here staying on the outside and edging a close decision.

Cliff Rold (Stevens KO): N'Dam is capable of outboxing Stevens for long stretches but eventually he'll get caught and Stevens is a better finisher than Quillin.

Alexey Sukachev (N’Jam N’Dikam UD): I can see Stevens coming out big in this fight—he has the pop to turn almost any fight around—but what was definitely proven over these years, it's that he is very flawed technically. He was exposed even by Jesse Brinkley and almost exposed by Tureano Johnson. N'Dam is one level higher than the latter two. He will box circles around Stevens and win on a wide decision, that can be a bit more narrow if Stevens is luck to score a knockdown or two. 

Anson Wainwright (N’Dam N’Jikam Dec.): An interesting crossroads fight for both guys, that neither can afford to lose if they want to fight for the world title in the near future. Stevens has the punch to end a fight at any point and N'dam has been on the canvas before, notably against Peter Quillin. That said I expect N'dam's skills to see him home in a competitive bout on points.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox