North East bragging rights – along with the Northern Area cruiserweight strap – belong to Maloney Promotions’ Jon-Lewis Dickinson after he outscored David Dolan at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland over ten three-minute rounds.
Dickinson (14st 2¾lbs) faced his toughest and most experienced opponent yet in Dolan – an opponent who came into the contest with a 14-3-1 (5) record and as a veteran of two British title attempts – but the former Prizefighter winner wasn’t fazed.
The action in the bout – from start to finish – never let up as both fighters refused to allow the other to get on top. Dolan, knowing this was a must-win fight, didn’t stop pressing forward, nor throwing punches, but was regularly picked off by Jon’s precise countering as he came in. At times, Dickinson waited too long and let his Mackem opponent boss the fight which ensured that many of the rounds were very close to call.
Jon’s jab and straight right, along with the occasional uppercut, often knocked back the head of David (14st 3½lbs) who himself worked well to Dickinson’s body when in close. Ultimately though, referee Mark Curry scored in favour of the former Birtley ABC star’s greater accuracy and cleaner shots – judging the contest 97-94.
Jon-Lewis, now with a 9-2 (2) record; will be looking for a British title shot against Rob Norton after this victory.
County Durham’s Martin Ward (8st 9½lbs) showed great confidence, as well as great skill, in outpointing Ian Napa (8st 9½lbs) over ten-threes. Aged just 23, southpaw Ward showed maturity and ring craft beyond his years as he bamboozled Ian with fast hands and feet, often getting off four or five shots before either dancing away from danger or covering up.
Hackney’s ‘Dappa’ didn’t look in peak physical condition but did push Marin for the full ten, often trapping the North East fighter against the ropes where he punished his body. Referee Andrew Wright’s score of 96-94 reflected the fact that Ian wasn’t able to overcome the speed or higher work rate of his opponent. Napa’s record now stands at 19-10 (1), while Ward, with a bright future ahead of him, moves on at 11-1 (1).
Debutant Craig Dixon (10st 8lbs) showed tidy boxing skills to beat journeyman Jason Nesbitt, now 9-132-3 (6), from Birmingham. The former Birtley ABC team-mate of Jon-Lewis Dickinson looked a good prospect as he outscored Nesbitt (10st 8lbs) by a score of 40-36 on referee Curry’s scorecard.
Another debutant, David Lake (9st 5lbs) from South Shields, was involved in an entertaining free for all with Mansfield’s Robert Sharpe (9st 10lbs). Both caught each other with clean, big shots during their four-threes but Lake earned the 39-37 verdict from referee Graeme Williams.
Gary Fox (10st 9lbs), from Fishburn, managed to overcome the only opponent to beat him to date by outscoring Lancashire’s William Warburton (10st 11lbs), now 3-20-2, over six-threes. Fox, who picked up a nasty cut in the last round, showed composure and waited for openings rather than rushing in blindly. Referee Williams scored 60-54. Fox is now 4-1.
Peter Cope (9st), from Hartlepool, backed by his very own ‘Barmy Army’ moved to 2-0 after outscoring Pavels Senkovs, 40-37, over four-threes. Peter just had too much ambition for his Latvian opponent who was game to the last. Senkovs (9st 2lbs) is now 2-36-2 (2).
In a scrappy contest, Easington’s Paul Archer (10st 3lbs) easily outpointed Sheffield’s Jason Carr (10st 4lbs). Paul didn’t seem to be able to miss with the right hand, and referee Williams gave him every round. Archer is now 3-0; Carr is 1-10-2.
Newcastle’s Mark Clauzel (11st 2lbs) was the only fighter to get an inside the distance victory on the show after stopping Lincolnshire’s Rick Boulter (11st 4lbs) at 2:21 of the first round. Referee Williams called it off after Boulter had taken a battering and gone over. Rick is now 1-12-3.
(Photo Credit: Craig Leng)
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