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Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold: Who has the edge heading into their fight?
After chaos erupted at their press conference Thursday and security personnel were needed to hold them back, it is clear that Darren Till and Luke Rockhold cannot wait to fight.
Well, the two former UFC stars will not have to wait much further as they will clash Saturday at Misfits 22 on the Ring of Thrones card from AO Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Till is 2-0 with 1 knockout in boxing under the Misfits banner, having followed a sixth-round TKO of Anthony Taylor in January with a unanimous decision over Darren Stewart in May. Meanwhile, Rockhold lost to Paulo Costa at UFC 278 in August 2022, extending his losing streak to three, and will be making his pro boxing debut.
With more fireworks expected in the ring, DAZN News examines who has the edge between Till and Rockhold heading into their bout.
Boxing Styles
In two pro bouts, Darren Till has shown an ability to pressure off the front foot and find a home with his left hand. Against Darren Stewart in May, Till flashed everything from a guard-splitting, piston-like straight to an explosive left hook, overhand left and uppercut.
His guard is not always disciplined and perhaps that could be something that Luke Rockhold tries to exploit in his pro boxing debut.
However, judging from his action in the Octagon, Rockhold, also fighting out of the southpaw stance, has finished fighters such as Chris Weidman and David Branch with his hands. He has also suffered defeat to the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Yoel Romero and Michael Bisping via punches.
Growing more comfortable with two sweet science bouts under his belt, Till gets the nod here.
Edge: Till
Power
Over in the UFC, both Till and Rockhold have proven their power, finishing opponents with their hands at times.
That said, in the boxing ring, Till has shown an ability to sit on his left hook and unload it toward thunderous results, having used the weapon to drop Stewart in the first round of their fight and a laser-like left to make him taste the canvas a second time at the final bell.
Another category where the advantage goes to Till.
Edge: Till
Mental Warfare
Skill-wise in mixed martial arts, Rockhold was revered and there is confidence that comes with that bundle of abilities.
He also did not hesitate to raise Till’s ire during their press conference and this fight week in general.
But as much as he let his hands go in the UFC, this is not the Octagon. Inside the boxing ring, Till has a 2-0 pro record and is vying to become a star for Misfits.
That is just as lofty of a mental hurdle than physical that Rockhold, a former UFC middleweight world champion, must overcome.
Edge: Till
Who has the edge in Till vs Rockhold?
Till demanded eight rounds from Rockhold during their fiery exchange Thursday. After all, he did eight rounds in his points win over Stewart.
This year alone, Stewart has shown decent boxing skills that he will be looking to hone further against Rockhold who is eight years his senior.
Till seems to be developing something promising for himself boxing under Misfits.
It is why DAZN News gives him the 3-0 edge heading into this bout with Rockhold who will be challenged to prove otherwise from the opening bell.
Watch Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones with DAZN PPV
Watch Darren Till versus Luke Rockhold and Tony Ferguson against Salt Papi, plus Dillon Danis, Joey Essex and more fight Saturday, August 31 only on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
