Strictly Frustrating: Froch gets judges’ nod over dancing Dirrell

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch’s persistent endeavour impressed two of the three judges to enable him to retain his WBC super-middleweight crown on a split decision against the fleet-footed Andre Dirrell in the Super Six tournament in Nottingham on Saturday night. Two ringside officials crucially preferred Froch’s dogged determination by scores of 115-112, whilst the other favoured Dirrell’s flashy combinations and quick reflexes, scoring it for the American 114-113.

In truth, this disappointing spectacle wasn’t easy to score predominantly due to Dirrell’s unwillingness to stand and trade combined with Froch’s inability to cut the ring off and land often and accurately against the nimble challenger who was impossible to pin down. Watching at home live on the Primetime pay-per-view network I scored the fight even.

Classy Booth knocks the fight out of Hunter

By John Hannen at ringside

Jason Booth looked tremendous on Friday night forcing Michael Hunter to retire on his stool, and surely from the fight game altogether, as he retained his British super bantamweight title at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland. A mixture of Booth being just ’2 smooth’, and Hunter seeming a shadow of the fighter he once was, combined to see the fight waved off between rounds five and six as the man from Hartlepool told his corner ‘no mas’.

Pickering blown away in European title challenge

By Ben Carey

Esham Pickering’s bold bid to become a two-time European champion ended in failure after he was hammered in three rounds by reigning EBU featherweight king Oleg Yefimovych in Donetsk, Ukraine on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old Pickering, who made two defences of the European super-bantam crown before losing it to Michael Hunter in a see-saw battle four years ago, was floored three times before the comically named referee Jean-Louis Legland had seen enough.

Rampant Murray too hot for veteran Thaxton to handle

By Daniel Cann

John Murray served notice that he is a major force in the lightweight division by stopping veteran Jon Thaxton in the fourth round of their clash for the vacant British lightweight title at the Altrincham Leisure Centre on Saturday night.

For Thaxton this was probably his last chance to win the Lonsdale belt outright and cap a long and memorable career with a fantastic win. For Murray it was all about serving notice that he is the number one lightweight in Britain and securing a shot at the European title.

Trailing Harrison pulls it out of the fire to sensationally stop Barrett and claim Prizefighter crown

By Ben Carey

Audley Harrison came from behind to sensationally knock out Coleman Barrett with 20 seconds remaining in the second round to claim victory in the Prizefighter The Heavyweights III tournament in London night. The 37-year-old championship favourite looked booked for yet another disappointing defeat after he was constantly beaten to the punch and made to look cumbersome by the spirited Barrett up until the dramatic turnaround.

Harrison outclasses Hughes to seal his place in Prizefighter final

By Ben Carey

The much-maligned Audley Harrison proved far too good for Sunderland’s Danny Hughes and will now meet Coleman Barrett in the final of Prizefighter The Heavyweights III. Harrison handed Hughes his first professional defeat, knocking him down in the third and final round en route to a unanimous points win, 30-26, 30-27 and 29-28.

Barrett outslicks Baker to reach Prizefighter final

By Ben Carey

A strong final round by Coleman Barrett saw him deservedly book his place in tonight’s Prizefighter Heavyweights III final. All three judges had the Irish quicksilver winning by scores of 29-28 and only Audley Harrison and Danny Hughes stand in his way of winning the tournament. This all-southpaw battle, between two fighters who registered upsets against reigning British champion Danny Williams (Baker) and former British champion Scott Gammer (Barrett) earlier in the night, took a while to ignite as both exercised caution initially.

Hughes annihilates Perkins and books semi-final clash with Harrison

By Ben Carey

Sunderland’s Danny Hughes needed only 45 seconds to blow away fellow novice Neil Perkins to book a semi-final clash against Audley Harrison in tonight’s Prizefighter. Perkins, taking part in only his fifth pro outing, played right into Hughes’ hands by foolishly mixing it with the Mackem beanpole and was rocked in the opening exchanges by a thudding left hook.

Instead of heeding the warning, Perkins remained in punching range and paid the ultimate price seconds later after he was dropped by a monstrous right hand. Neil rose on unsteady legs but was rightly not permitted to continue by referee Marcus McDonnell who sensibly stopped the fight. Though now undefeated in nine fights (against 1 draw), this was only Hughes’ second stoppage win. It will be interesting to see what happens if he manages to detonate a similar punch on Audley Harrison’s suspect chin.

Baker stuns Williams in dramatic Prizefighter upset

By Ben Carey

40/1 outsider Carl Baker stunned British champion Danny Williams in one of the most seesaw fights ever witnessed in Prizefighter III tonight. The 20st 7lbs giant Baker dropped Williams twice in a thrilling first round but had to hang on for dear life as Williams threatened to snatch a dramatic come-from-behind KO victory in the final round.

Barrett edges Gammer in tepid first Prizefighter III quarter-final

By Ben Carey

Coleman Barrett’s speed and southpaw stance saw him narrowly outpoint former British heavyweight champion Scott Gammer in a lacklustre opening to Prizefighter III in London tonight.

All three judges, Marcus McDonnell, Dave Parris and Terry O’Connor favoured the unbeaten Irishman by 29-28 on the scorecards after three tepid rounds. Barrett, whose odds of winning the tournament have been reduced to 12/1 down from 20/1 following a flood of money, began brightly, peppering the static Gammer with snappy one-twos from the southpaw stance in the opener.

Dunne to take stock following crushing world title defeat

By Ben Carey

Bernard Dunne’s team insist that no snap decision will be made regarding their fighter’s future following the loss of his WBA super-bantamweight title to Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym in Dublin on Saturday night (26 September).

Dunne was overpowered in three rounds by the Thai whirlwind and was taken to hospital afterwards as a precautionary measure after he was swept aside in the first defence of his world title. For all his talent, determination and passionate support, it would seem that the Irishman’s susceptibility to a big punch is likely to endanger his ability to ever make it back to the top.

Macklin finally living up to potential after Euro triumph

By Ben Carey

Matthew Macklin produced a devastating punching display to floor Finland’s Amin Asikainen twice en route to a stunning first round stoppage to seize the vacant European middleweight title at the Manchester Velodrome on Friday night (25 September).

A left hook to the body troubled Asikainen and the same punch, this time to the head, crashed home depositing the shell-shocked Fin on his back moments later. Asikainen beat the count but rose on rubbery legs and Macklin took full advantage by piling the pressure on, eventually dropping his opponent with a short right hand. Asikainen rose once more, and whilst looking glassy eyed seemed capable of continuing. Italian referee Luigi Muratore thought otherwise and waved the contest off with 26 seconds remaining in the opening session after issuing the Fin the mandatory eight-count, much to Asikainen’s bewilderment.

Skelton retires after suffering third defeat in four contests

By Ben Carey

Former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion Matt Skelton is set to retire after slipping to an eighth-round retirement loss to Francesco Pianeta in Germany at the weekend. Skelton, who officially pulled out after sustaining a (reoccurring) hand injury, was well behind on all three judges’ scorecards in this battle for Pianeta’s EU heavyweight crown.

The disappointing defeat was the 42-year-old Skelton’s third in four fights and his trademark workrate and clubbing punches were rarely in evidence against the unbeaten 6’5 Italian southpaw who retained his title with ease.

Super-fit Daws eventually breaks Morrison’s will

By Ben Carey

Lenny Daws regained the British light-welterweight title at York Hall in Bethnal Green on 18 September by ending the resistance of Barry Morrison in the tenth round of their closely fought encounter. An innocuous looking left hook sent a fatigued Morrison to his knees and the demoralised Scot sat out referee John Keane’s ten-count with 1.30 remaining of the session.

The win represented sweet revenge for Daws after he lost his British title to Morrison in his first defence on a split decision two-and-a-half years ago. This contest, for the British 10st crown vacated by Ajose Olusegun, was one that neither man could afford to lose. As in their first fight there was little to choose between the well-matched fighters but Morrison’s snappier work and command of the ring centre saw him shade the early proceedings.

Maloney’s Fury: Enraged Promoter calls for Board enquiry after controversial verdict denies McDermott victory

By Ben Carey

Referee Terry O’Connor’s 98-92 points verdict in favour of Tyson Fury over John McDermott did more than just raise a few eyebrows at a packed Brentwood Centre in Essex on Friday night. For many it was viewed as an act of incomprehensible misjudgement that lit a fuse of anger amongst fans, the media and the unfortunate McDermott who is now considering his future in the sport.

An enraged Frank Maloney, who promotes McDermott, has called upon the British Boxing Board of Control to conduct an enquiry after labelling referee O’Connor “a disgrace to British Boxing” in the immediate aftermath of Friday’s controversy which saw Fury claim the English heavyweight title and maintain his unbeaten record (now 8-0, 7 by KO).

O’Donnell outclasses Glover

By Daniel Cann

In a Hennessy Sports promotion at the Watford Colosseum on Saturday night John O’Donnell, the Commonwealth welterweight champion, was due to defend the title he won in April in a close fight with Craig Watson for the first time. Unfortunately, due to O’Donnell failing to make the 10st 7lbs welterweight championship limit (he came in at ten stone seven and three quarter pounds) the fight became a non-title affair (although it remained a scheduled twelve rounder – so why wasn’t O’Donnell stripped and Glover allowed to contest and claim the vacant Commonwealth title in the event of him winning as in the case of John Murray’s British lightweight title fight with Scott Lawton earlier this year? – Ed).

O’Donnell’s opponent was Tom Glover, the affable bricklayer and consummate professional from Maldon, Essex, who had recently outpointed Jon Thaxton.

Simpson rains on Truscott’s parade in fight of the year contender

By John Hannen at ringside

Raining cats and dogs in the North-East overnight I was concerned that this rescheduled show, at the Eston Sports Academy in Middlesbrough, as per the original date, might get postponed again due to flooding. Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports, promoting and televising the show respectively, must have somebody up there who likes them though as, the downpour ceased mid-afternoon, the sun came out (kind of!), and it was game-on.

Witter retires on his stool as career looks in doubt following loss to Alexander

By Ben Carey

Junior Witter’s attempt to regain the WBC light-welterweight crown ended in major disappointment as he retired on his stool at the end of eighth round against unbeaten American Devon Alexander in California on Saturday night. Afterwards Witter claimed he had injured his left hand in round four, which was a reoccurrence of a hairline fracture he had sustained in the same hand six months ago, and the pain was too severe for him to continue.

At the time of the finish, Witter was a mile behind on all three judges’ scorecards, 80-72 and 79-73 (twice). The Bradford man had sustained damage to his mouth and right eye and was also shaken by a left hook from the more disciplined Alexander in the fifth.

After suffering the third defeat of his 42-fight career it’s hard to see where the 35-year-old Witter can go from here.

Rampant Jeffries makes it three out of three

By John Hannen

On the Haskins-Burkinshaw undercard, a packed audience at Sunderland’s Seaburn Centre was treated to a host of boxers from the North East region, including the third professional fight in the career of Sunderland’s Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries who typically stole the show against Ilya Shakura from Belarus.

This was the fight many of the crowd were waiting for and Jaffa received a standing ovation as he walked to the ring, with the crowd giving a roof-lifting reception to their local hero.

Haskins outclasses Burkinshaw to retain British title

By John Hannen

In the main event of the evening at Sunderland’s Seaburn Centre on July 10, Sheffield’s Ross Burkinshaw found himself out-of-his depth in his challenge to Bristol’s Lee Haskins for his British super flyweight title.

Truscott win sets up Simpson rematch

By Ben Carey

In preparation for his rematch with Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson, Paul Truscott shut out Andrey Kostin over six rounds on the Olusegun-Wright undercard in Liverpool on Friday night (60-54).

Truscott hadn’t fought since losing his unbeaten record and Commonwealth crown to Simpson in January after he was halted with a closed right eye in the eighth round of their finely balanced contest.

Olusegun outslicks Wright to capture vacant British title

By Ben Carey

Ajose Olusegun added the vacant British light-welterweight title to his Commonwealth crown by outworking and outspeeding a subdued Nigel Wright in their all-southpaw clash at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday night. Wright had previously given Olusegun problems early on before conceding a close unanimous points defeat when the pair met 18 months ago but this time the result was never in doubt. After twelve brisk rounds all three judges favoured Olusegun by 117-112, 117-111 and a far too close 116-113.

Tigerish Edwards walks through Bloy

height=”221″ />By Ben Carey

Local hero Chris Edwards set the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke ablaze with a torrid effort that reduced opponent Wayne Bloy to a shattered shell after four rounds to capture the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight titles on Friday night on a Frank Maloney promotion.

Bloy officially retired on his stool at the end of the fourth due to a damaged right hand but in truth he was spared from an imminent stoppage at the hands of the relentless Edwards.

Tyson Fury already targeting British title after just second pro win

By Ben Carey

Heavyweight colossus Tyson Fury made a statement concerning his future title credentials by leathering the statistically impressive German Marcel Zeller in three rounds on the John Murray-Lee McAllister undercard in Wigan on Saturday.

Whilst Zeller’s 21-3 record flattered the outgunned German, Fury’s backers’ (Hennessy Sports) willingness to match their newest recruit against a man who had recorded 20 of his 21 wins inside the distance in just his second pro fight is testimony to their belief that they have a genuine heavyweight prospect in their ranks.

Clinical Murray grinds down McAllister

By Ben Carey

John Murray underlined his growing promise and maturity by systematically grinding down slippery Scot Lee McAllister in eight rounds to retain his British lightweight title in front of a passionate crowd in Wigan on Saturday night. It was the 24-year-old Manchester man’s 26th consecutive win and 14th inside the distance.

Eye injury costs Truscott Commonwealth crown

By Ben Carey

A badly bruised and cut right eye forced Paul Truscott out of his Commonwealth featherweight title defence in the eighth round against determined challenger John Simpson in Middlesbrough tonight.

Body shots do the trick for Munroe in successful Dublin defence

By Ben Carey

Rendall Munroe retained his European super-bantamweight crown for the third occasion when challenger Fabrizio Trotta quit midway through round five citing an injury to his wrist at City University in Dublin on December 18.

Cleverly retains Commonwealth crown with one-punch knockout

By Ben Carey

Nathan Cleverly suggested that he has the power to complement his silky boxing skills by producing a stunning fourth-round knockout to retain his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title against Kenya’s Douglas Otieno in Widnes on Friday night.

Sexton stops Burton to win Prizefighter Heavyweight 2 Competition

By Ben Carey

Norwich’s Sam Sexton won the Prizefighter Heavyweight 2 Competition at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle tonight after stopping tournament favourite Chris Burton from nearby Darlington in the third and final round in tonight’s final. A looping overhead right sent a dazed Burton sagging into the ropes and Sexton’s follow-up barrage prompted referee Micky Vann’s intervention as Burton groggily tried to cover up.

Arthur has himself to blame for world title loss to Cook

By Ben Carey

Edinburgh’s Alex Arthur surrendered his WBO super-featherweight title in his first defence by allowing Dagenham’s Nicky Cook to outwork him over 12 intriguing rather than action-packed rounds in the chief support to Khan-Prescott. There was little to choose between the pair throughout but Cook’s energy, particularly in the early stages, saw him build a comfortable lead which Arthur was never able to peg back despite mounting a more determined late effort.

Though the margin of Cook’s victory, by six and five rounds on two judges scorecards’, seemed harsh on the deposed champion, Arthur’s post-fight claims that biasness from the English ringside judges had cost him his world title were equally wide of the mark. The third judge, Terry O’Connor’s 115-114 verdict, tallied more with my 115-113 scorecard in favour of Cook. Unquestionably, the right man won on the night, but arguably the better fighter didn’t turn up, which is where Arthur should really focus his frustrations.