A year has passed since Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta fought it out. But they left the chapter of their rivalry open when they clashed heads, and the referee abruptly halted the fight. They want to pick right from the moment they left last year. After all, they have unfinished business. Will it be Baluta who finally bags the victory he thought he deserved the last time? Or will McCann continue to strengthen his case as the best super bantamweight fighter hailing from Britain on the huge Queensberry Promotions card this weekend?

The high-octane and exciting rematch on the undercard of the Joe Joyce vs. Derek Chisora main event awaits the fans this Saturday as the top hot prospects will run it back at the O2 Arena in London. Not only does the bout allow them to end the debate over a better fight, but it also offers them a shot at the EBU European Super Bantamweight strap. It’s a sweet deal, isn’t it? So, who rises to the occasion and collects it all? Before that happens, let’s have a look at how the two boxers stack up.

Dennis McCann vs. Ionut Baluta: Tale of Tape

McCann has attracted fan’s eyeballs and for the right reasons. He is emerging as the top talent that Britain has to offer, and at 23a, he has enough time to grow by leaps and bounds. The Maidstone native has captivated the fans and pundits with his confidence and zeal to improve, and as a result, he also boasts an impressive record of 15-0-1 with 8 KOs. You can also see him as an excellent blend of skills and power, as suggested by his KO ratio of 53.33%. What’s more? The lanky boxer stands tall at 5’7″ (170 cm), inflicting punishment with his left jab and unloading heavy punches from a distance. His southpaw stance always seems to puzzle his opponents. Will it be the same case for Baluta?

The Romanian fighter, at 30, has enough experience under his belt, and he is aging like a fine wine. Despite a few losses on his record, he always puts up a show for the fans, and at 16-4-1 with 3 KOs, he has a solid record. You might have to look beyond his 18.75% KOs to appreciate how skilled Baluta is, and he never shies away from putting his body on the line. In addition, he carries the size advantage, as his long levers, with a reach of 73.0″ (185 cm), allow him to get to his foe’s chin first, landing strong blows first. The Constanta native also has a tall and imposing presence, as his height of 5’10” (179 cm) provides him an opportunity to pull back a bit to dodge the jabs.

Prediction: X factor, and where will the fight be won?

When the two last fought, Baluta had McCann on the ropes with his beautiful combinations and his use of hooks. His wild but calculated swings were testing the Brit’s chin before the gushing blood fountain on McCann’s forehead stopped the action. If he has done it once, he surely can pull it off again. Baluta’s experience came in handy when he fought McCann, but since then, he has yet to enter the squared circle, inviting concerns of ring rust from the fans.

But ‘The Menace’ kept himself busy and turned in an impressive outing against the then-unbeaten and ambitious Brad Strand to become the BBBofC British Super Bantamweight champion. The fight showcased his flashy footwork and different but powerful hooks, along with his usual jabs. That was the result of his training on American soil and a change in his corner team. But, that’s not it either.

Dennis McCann’s confidence and his prodigal skills separate him from the rest, and that might be the case in the coming fight, too. You shouldn’t overlook the fact that he was a nine-time national champion. While Baluta might think it will be a night similar to a year ago, McCann is not the same fighter anymore. He is a better version of himself, and you can expect him to employ his jabs, fight from a distance, and use his powerful and stingy punches to race to victory.

What do you make of this coming fight between Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta? Who do you think will leave the arena as a victor on July 27? Let us know in the comments below.