Godding set for surprise Hamburg showdown

Godding has a huge opportunity on Saturday

This Saturday Wladimir Klitschko rolls into Hamburg as he defends his multiple world titles against unbeaten 27-0 Pole Mariusz Wach, a fight that the unified heavyweight champion will no doubt dedicate to his deceased legendary trainer Manny Steward, who's death last week hit the whole Boxing community. 

Undercards for Klitschko bills tend to be very weak in terms of action, the obvious reason being the fact they promote the bills themselves because of the TV deal they have in Germany and they don't have many guys signed to their stable, but there's one fight that catches my eye this Saturday. It's a welterweight showdown that pits the experienced former European champion Rafal Jackiewicz against unbeaten Bolton stylist Rick Godding. 

It's a terrific opportunity for the 18-0 Godding, who I very much consider a trade secret over here, not many people know about him, but the Steve Wood managed fighter is a cracking little fighter. He's only ranked #18 in the UK, but a victory here could see him pass many domestic contenders and land a crack at new British champion Frankie Gavin, or an all Lancashire clash with fellow unbeaten prospects Denton Vassell or Ronnie Heffron.

Jackiewicz is one of the toughest European welterweights

Godding has mostly fought on Frank Maloney bills, but has not had too much attention from TV companies, probably because he's more of a technical fighter than one punch knockout artist (just three stoppage victories). What has to be noted though is he has stopped two of his last four opponents, the power is starting to come on from the 27 year old, and although he travels to Germany as a big underdog, the Pole is way passed his best, as seen by the way Kell Brook dismantled him in October 2011.

Kell Brook destroyed the Pole in Sheffield

Clearly Rick has taken this because he feels he needs to be moving into title contention now, without the support of a big time promoter in the UK, he has had to look overseas and first and foremost, he must be applauded for taking this chance. Jackiewicz has improved his form of late, he's won his last four and that includes going over to Italy to stop Luciano Abis in seven rounds, becoming the European Union champion along the way. He's a real danger, but Godding has a solid 93 pro rounds of experience under his belt now, and I could definitely see an upset.

Interestingly this bill is being shown on ESPN this weekend at 10pm, I can't tell you if any of the undercard is being shown, but could this be a sign of things to come with ESPN venturing into more live Boxing events?