Prediction.

This should be an entertaining fight, both are come forward fighters, both are inexperienced, they are well matched. Marku is a southpaw, Charlton's debut was the only time he's fought a southpaw, I think Marku's opposition has been slightly better overall, but there isn't a big difference, I think Marku's kickboxing background means very little, and I was more impressed by Charlton's last fight than Marku's. Neither are accurate punchers, but both can punch, both attack the body, Marku has the faster hands, but I think Charlton hits harder, and he's definitely a more consistent pressure fighter based on his and Marku's last fights, Charlton didn't give Laws a second of respite, Laws couldn't get out of the pocket, and Charlton did all the damage, Marku faded against Stewart, Stewart couldn't swing the momentum in his favour when Marku eased off, but his pressure wasn't consistent. Charlton seemed to have a lot in the tank when he stopped Laws, I think the fight will favour him more as the rounds go on.

I think Marku will have the better of the early rounds, he'll get off first with his combinations, do more work, but Charlton will be more comfortable, and Marku will be working hard just to keep him off. I think when Marku's output drops, Charlton will let his hands go, Marku will defend well, but Charlton will be relentless, do a lot of damage with the left hook to the body, will break Marku down, and stop him late.

I thought the commentary from Smith and Macklin was terrible, Charlton was out working Marku, blocking well, was never knocked down, and he got no acknowledgement, Marku got more credit for showboating than Charlton got for landing shots. The stoppage was compassionate, Charlton could have continued, but he was taking a lot of damage, he could have a few good years ahead of him, had a good learning fight without taking too much damage.

Marku's accuracy was solid, he used the ring, took advantage of Charlton's lack of speed, and he was more offensively skilled than Charlton, he's fought the better opposition, and Charlton's inexperience was a problem, Marku's own inexperience was a factor when he stood on the ropes and let Charlton work, but he got his shots off, Charlton's shots were falling short when Marku was in range, he didn't have any survival skill. Charlton is a solid athlete, he didn't go down, recovered after being hurt bad in round 4, threw a lot of shots, missed a lot, his chin held up well overall, but when he got hit with an accurate shot he didn't see coming, he was a target, he was mentally prepared to fight his way out of trouble, but he came off worse. Marku was hurt in round 6, but he took advantage of Charlton easing off, Charlton's defence was good in the early rounds, but he was defenceless in rounds 7 and 8.