British boxing officially kicks off the New Year on Friday, Jan. 22 with an eagerly anticipated Commonwealth lightweight title fight between the tested Gavin Gwynne (12-2) and the undefeated Sean McComb (11-0).

We have the preview and pick you need to be a big winner on fight night.

McComb has the size advantage

One of the key factors going into this regional showdown is that McComb is actually moving down in weight after conducting his career at junior welterweight. The Belfast native shouldn’t find much trouble moving down to lightweight, especially because Gwynne can’t knock a glass of water off the table. While the postponement could serve as a hazard to his conditioning, it’s more likely he’ll have taken the extra time to adjust and be ready to go for fight night.

Gwynne has had two unsuccessful challenges at a regional title, with his most recent loss being a lopsided knockout against veteran James Tennyson last August. Tennyson went right through Gwynne and closed him up inside six rounds. It will take an effort unbecoming of Gwynne’s composition to pull this off.

No pop, no chance

The lack of punching power is a problem here for Gwynne. McComb is faster and stronger with this fight being just about right for the development of his career. There’s no reason to toss him to the lions.

From the beginning, expect McComb to show no respect for Gwynne’s shots, even taking a few punches just to let him know that he can’t hurt him. While he wants to avoid the rookie mistake of getting caught up in a fist fight with a desperate fighter, McComb will be willing to trade here and there to get into range and break his opponent down to the body as time goes by.

McComb should win in commanding fashion

The size advantage of McComb should play its hand in the later rounds. He’ll rehydrate to tremendous size, and Gwynne might just punch himself beyond the point of exhaustion against a man he can’t hurt or remotely bother.

By the later rounds, McComb will already have the fight won on the cards, and he’ll coast all the way to the final bell where he’ll win a lopsided unanimous decision.

Boxing pick: McComb