Patrick Mendy is predicting a close contest when his former opponents Patrick Nielsen and Dmitry Chudinov meet for the interim WBA World Middleweight Championship on June 1st in Moscow.

 

The Gambian-born British boxer is the only man to have shared the ring with both men, losing a points decision to Nielsen and holding Chudinov to a draw.

 

 ‘’This will be a great fight,’’ said Mendy. ''They both have very different styles and that is what makes it such an interesting match-up and so difficult to predict.

 

‘’Nielsen likes to use his range and will try to fight from a distance, while Chudinov is a come forward fighter, he will try and close the gap and put Nielsen under pressure.

 

‘’When I fought Chudinov I was able to frustrate him with my movement. Nielsen must do the same if he wants to win. Chudinov comes forward in straight lines, so you must move around, make him dance and not allow him time to land his shots.

 

‘’To beat Nielsen, Chudinov must drag him into a fight. Nielsen has a powerful jab and is very good at fighting from range, stepping in landing his shots and then stepping out. Chudinov will need to try to close the gap and use his superior power to wear him down.’’

 

‘’Anything can happen in boxing. Until the final bell sounds I will not be able to say who will win. But I do believe it will come down to whoever has the greatest of strength of mind.’’