Belfast’s Martin Rogan became the first Heavyweight Prizefighter winner by outpointing Sunderland’s David Dolan in the Final after three thrilling seesaw rounds at the York Hall last night.
Overall, Barry Hearn’s experimental Prizefighter tournament was an outstanding success. The four quarter-finals produced knockdowns in each fight, we saw an upset with Paul Butlin stopping the experienced Colin Kenna and an entertaining final between two unbeaten fighters which had the sell-out crowd on their feet. Despite being sceptical beforehand, I can’t wait for the next Prizefighter installment. Click the link to see how Prizefighter unfolded.
In the battle of the unbeaten hopefuls, it was Rogan, now 10-0, who bolted out of the traps to drop a shellshocked Dolan in the opening ten seconds with a right hand. Having given himself a mountain to climb in a three-round contest, Dolan responded superbly by obliging Rogan in a toe-to-toe tear-up and inflicted damage to the Irishman’s right eye in an action-packed opener.
The pace continued at breakneck speeds in round two but it was the three-time ABA champion Dolan who connected with the better quality punches as both men continued to trade furiously. Despite getting himself back into the fight, Dolan still needed to produce a big last round to overturn the 10-8 defecit after being floored in the opener. Incredibly though it was Rogan who produced the goods decking Dolan again just seconds into the third with two more right hands.
Dolan rose defiantly but now required a knockout to win. Normally a graceful boxer, Dolan abandoned his principles and put everything into mounting a sensational comeback. Rogan only needed to stay on his feet to make sure of victory, but in the true spirit of Prizefighter, the Irishman continued to go hell for leather and meet fire with fire. Rogan’s defiance almost backfired on him though as Dolan landed a succession of bombs that bounced off Rogan’s chin. Two huge left hooks and a follow-up right had Rogan on unsteady legs who suddenly looked every bit of his 36-years. Showing an excellent chin and fighting qualities Rogan dug deep and came through the crisis to clinch a unanimous victory on the scorecards (29-25, 29-27 and 28-27) and the £25,000 winners cheque to boot after earlier defeating Alex Ibbs and David Ferguson to reach the Final.
Quarter-Final Results
David Ferguson bt Billy Bessey pts (29-28, 29-27, 28-27)
Ferguson floored Bessey with a counter right hand in the opener but the smaller Bessey came back well in rounds 2 and 3 as Ferguson tired.
Martin Rogan bt Alex Ibbs TKO2
Rogan easily dismisses the inexperienced Ibbs, knocking him down at the end of the first round and cutting Ibbs’ right eye. Two more right hands which wobbled Ibbs at the start of the second round prompted referee Phil Edwards’ intervention.
Paul Butlin bt Colin Kenna TKO 2
In the shock of the night, the unfancied Butlin comes from behind to flatten Kenna with a right hand to the back of the head in the second round. A dazed Kenna scrambled to his feet at nine but a follow-up attack from Butlin which saw him pile on the pressure forced the referee’s stoppage.
David Dolan bt Darren Morgan pts (30-26, 30-27 twice)
Despite conceding almost four stones in weight, Dolan managed to drop Morgan in the first fifteen seconds though replays indicated that the off-balance Morgan got his feet tangled. Dolan continued to dictate proceedings from the outside but gradually became more adventurous.
The pre-tournament favourite almost paid a heavy price for electing to trade when a massive left hook from Morgan nailed Dolan flush, shaking him to the souls of his boots with seconds remaining in round two. Morgan desperately tried to end matters but the bell came to the rescue of the visibly stunned Dolan. After being led the riot act by trainer Neil Fannon inbetween rounds, Dolan sensibly boxed to orders in the final round and easily nullified the tiring Morgan’s attacks to seal a points win.
Semi-Finals
Martin Rogan bt David Ferguson pts (all three judges scoring 30-27)
Rogan continued to impress by handing Ferguson a three-round pasting. Jumping on his taller opponent from the outset, Rogan hammered Ferguson to head and body who still seemed fatigued following his quarter-final triumph over Billy Bessey. Ferguson attempted to rally in the second with a brief burst but Rogan, showing good defensive work, soaked everything up and came back to punish Ferguson who by the finish was totally spent and bleeding from the nose.
David Dolan bt Paul Butlin pts (all three judges scoring 30-27)
Despite enduring the least amount of rest, Dolan effortlessly outboxed Butlin from the outside to win with something to spare and unlike his previous bout with Darren Morgan, this time the stylish Dolan didn’t get involved. An increasingly frustrated Butlin needed to throw more punches but was unable to plant his feet as Dolan showed excellent movement and impressive stamina throughout
