The undercard of Phil Jeffries’ record breaking ‘Summer Rumble 2’ show provided an opportunity for fighters from every corner of the North East to showcase their talents.
South Shields’ Anthony ‘Babyface’ Nelson (9st) showed his mean streak by stopping Scotland’s James Ancliff (9st 5lbs) in the second of a scheduled four-threes. Nelson (pictured) had Ancliff in serious trouble at the end of the first round, putting his man down for a count of eight just before the bell to finish the round. When the action resumed, Anthony was straight on top again with a two-fisted attack that saw the Scot’s corner throw in the towel, only for referee Graeme Williams to kick it back out. The fight continued with Nelson still pummelling away and eventually the man in the middle had seen enough and called it off at 0-36. ‘Babyface’ moves to 2-0 (1); Ancliff is now 11-23-2 (2).
Hartlepool’s Callum Winton (9st 9lbs) put in an exciting debut shift and can count himself unlucky not to have posted victory over Scottish-based Steve Martin (9st 13lbs) in a four-threes. Winton came out fast and banged away with hooks and uppercuts. Martin is game, tucked up well and threw back the occasional scoring hook, but seemed to be outworked by Callum over the first three rounds. The North East fighter seemed to tire in the last and Steve came back into it. Referee Andrew Wright raised both hands at the end, scoring it a 38-38 draw. I had Winton winning 39-37. Martin’s record is now 1-4-1 (1).
Robert Dixon (10st 7lbs) had a torrid time of it against Lancashire’s William Warburton (10st 10lbs). The Gateshead fighter went over in a flash knockdown immediately as the fight begun, and then picked up a terrible looking cut in the third of this four-threes after an accidental clash of heads. Robert, real name Craig, battled through and, after earning a 39-37 verdict from referee Wright, remains unbeaten at 6-0. Warburton is 5-35-2.
Another Gateshead boxer, Robert Ismay (12st 8lbs), is also still unbeaten at 6-0 (2) after cruising to victory over Doncaster journeyman James Tucker (12st 12lbs). Robert (12st 8lbs) boxed nicely behind his jab, often doubling it up, and slammed in hooks to the body when the opportunity arose. Ismay didn’t seem intent on trying to stop Tucker and looked better for it. Referee Mark Curry gave him every round, making it 40-36. Tucker is 6-51-3 (2).
Former British title challenger Dave Dolan (14st 8lbs) got another win under his belt after beating Worksop’s Simeon Cover (15st 5lbs) over four rounds. Sunderland’s Dolan did all the chasing, with Cover trying to fiddle his way to victory but having little success. Dave wasn’t fazed by his opponent’s tactics or lack of ambition and kept plugging away behind his lead hand to pick up a 40-36 score from referee Curry. Cruiserweight Dolan improved to 16-4-1 (5); Cover is now 16-50-2 (4).
Easington’s Paul Archer (10st 10lbs) didn’t let a late change of opponent unsettle him as he boxed well to beat Tamworth journeyman Matt Seawright (11st 2lbs) over six-twos. Archer looked in terrific shape, showed a good jab, and had Seawright down in the fifth from what looked like a left hand. Referee Williams scored 60-53; Paul is now 5-0; Matt 3-60-3.
In his second fight, Sunderland’s Lee Mould (10st) took on one the UK’s most experienced fighters; Nuneaton’s Kristian Laight (9st 13lbs), over four threes and ran out a 40-36 victor. Mould looked all business as he got into the ring and didn’t disappoint as he took it to Kristian in every round. The Mackem has a good variety of shots in his arsenal but his best work was to the body. Lee is now 2-0; Laight is 6-127-6.
On his debut back in March, Horden’s Greg O’Neill (11st 8lbs) had to climb off the canvas to battle to victory. This time, in his second fight, he faced a tough opponent in Trowbridge’s Dan Blackwell (11st 8lbs) and put in another good performance to win 40-36 on referee Wright’s tally. Greg boxed to orders, worked well behind his jab and threw in some powerful shots to Blackwell’s midriff. O’Neill now moves to 2-0; Blackwell 1-10.
Out of the ring since October last year, Sunderland’s Glenn Foot showed he’s lost none of his aggression as he walked through Coventry’s James Flinn in a scheduled four-threes. Foot (10st 12lbs) looked for the big right hand over the top and threw every punch with intent, finally catching up with Flinn (10st 12lbs) in the third round. First the Midlander went over for a count of eight and complained he’d been hit behind the head; he was then on the floor again and hit while on one knee, for which Glenn received a warning; when the action resumed Foot was straight on the attack and another count was administered; before the action was finally halted at 2-19. Referee was Mr Williams; Glenn is now 7-0 (4); James is 10-4-1 (2).
Middlesbrough’s Mohammed Waqas (8st 6lbs) looks a tidy, controlled boxer. Taking on Sheffield’s awkward switch-hitter Anwar Alfadi (8st 4lbs) in only his second fight, Waqas controlled the action behind a ramrod jab and, apart from taking the odd reply from Anwar, won by a shutout over four-threes. Referee Williams scored 40-36; Mohammed moves to 2-0; Alfadi to 1-27-3.
Newcastle’s Mark Clauzel (11st 3lbs) looked much brighter than in his last fight; taking on Scunthorpe’s Steve Spence (11st 8lbs) over four-threes. Spence is durable and tough, but Mark was on top throughout and landed some decent flush shots that may have shifted other opponents. Spence gave it a real go and swung back at times but Clauzel managed to keep out of trouble. Referee Williams scored 40-37. Mark is still unbeaten at 6-0 (2); Spence is now 2-23-4 (1).
Middlesbrough’s talented Shafiq ‘Chubzy’ Asif (9st 13lbs) took on Birmingham journeyman Sid Razak (10st 5lbs) and put on a good display of hand speed, accuracy and shot-picking to canter to a 40-36 win. Asif, now 3-0 91), looks a real prospect and one to keep an eye on in the future. Referee was Mr Williams; Razak is now 8-93 (3).
Taylor (real name Tommy) Ward, brother of fellow pro Martin, made a winning debut beating Slovakia’s Elemir Rafael (8st 13lbs) over four-threes. Ward (8st 13lbs) was up against a wily opponent who knew how to survive but forced the action and earned a 40-36 score from referee Curry. Rafael left the North East at 21-61-1 (3).
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