Big Fight Preview & Prediction: Desley Robinson vs. Tamm Thibeault
Tonight in Orlando, Florida, we could see the crowning of a potential superstar. It could also be a case of a blue-chip prospect being pushed far too soon.
The former elite amateur Tamm Thibeault (4-0) will look to cement her position in the pro ranks when she takes on the 38-year-old Desley Robinson for the WBO and IBF world middleweight titles on the latest Most Valuable Promotions card.
The 29-year-old Canadian is only four fights into her professional career. A former world amateur and Commonwealth champion, Thibeault, after winning her debut against Natasha Spence on points, has secured three inside-the-distance victories on the bounce. Last time out, Cristina Mazzotta didn’t see out the opening round. Thibeault is highly-touted, but Robinson will provide a much tougher challenge than all her previous opponents combined. The Australian will tell us plenty about the credentials of Thibeault.
Robinson (12-3) hasn’t lost a fight in over two years. Kaye Scott beat her on points in early 2024, but Robinson has remained unbeaten since. Robinson got revenge over her fellow Australian and claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title in the process in December 2024. A victory over Chloe Chaos in 2025 added the WBO bauble to her collection. In May, Robinson widely outpointed another former Canadian amateur star, Mary Spencer. She will hope to replicate that in Florida on Saturday night.
Thibeault is the odds-on favourite to relieve Robinson of those IBF and WBO world middleweight titles. But are those odds really reflective? Despite all that amateur success, the Canadian is untested as a pro. Thibeault has only boxed eleven rounds as a professional. Nine of them were in two fights. Robinson might just be too seasoned for her. There are still plenty of unanswered questions about Tamm Thibeault.
But I do think the titles will change hands despite the inexperience of the challenger, but Thibeault will have to apply a large degree of caution and patience. If she gives too much trying to force an early stoppage, the second half of the fight could be extremely difficult for her if her opponent is still applying her trademark pressure. Robinson is strong and awkward, and can make a fight ugly. Her experience could be key, especially if the gas tank of her opponent starts to empty.
But if Thibeault is the fighter we think she is, she should get the job done. Maybe in style. The Canadian has much the longer reach, and if she boxes smart, it could be a relatively easy night for her. I wouldn’t rule out a late stoppage for Thibeault, but a wide points victory is more likely.
Photo Credit: Most Valuable Promotions
