The Big Bang

Tony Bellew v Danny McIntosh

Last night Tony Bellew made a stunning title defence with an emphatic win over light-heavyweight rival Danny McIntosh at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Bellew’s superb victory sent a clear message to the European light-heavyweight champion Eduard Gutknecht as the Liverpool born boxer looks to step up a level in his career.

And why shouldn’t he? Last night he showed that he is a cut above Danny McIntosh, and the majority of British fighters in this weight division, knocking out ‘Big Mac’ in style. After taking the opening four rounds, Bellew knocked out his opponent with a clinical overhand right at the start of the fifth round.

In all fairness to the Bomber, he could have won the fight in any of the rounds as he dominated the whole fight. He didn’t give McIntosh a moment’s peace and was constantly on him. Bellew attacked throughout with a quick jab and a succession of accurate and powerful punched.

Danny McIntosh must have been wondering if Bellew was ever going to miss with a punch, every punch thrown seemed to land cleanly on the Norwich fighter.

After taking every round with ease, McIntosh was floored at the end of the fourth round. He recovered but just thirty seconds into the fifth round the dominant performance from Bellew was capped off with a shattering KO.  

You would have thought that McIntosh would have come into the fight with confidence after winning the European title in France against Thierry Karl, but he was unable to have any effect on the fight.

But, this night belonged to Tony Bellew, as I’m sure will many more nights.

Scott Cardle v Johnny Greaves

Scott Cardle continued his progress making it two wins out of two when he beat likeable journeyman fighter Johnny Greaves on points.

Cardle started the fight the lot brighter looking to win by knock out. His great start was capped of when put Greaves down in the first round. Greaves however got up and continued fighting. The journeyman fighter was appearing in his 83^rd fight and played up to the good atmosphere in the crowd.

But despite Greaves’ strong character this night belonged to Cardle.

The Lytham boxer was a class above in all honestly and won every round with ease. He did not give his opponent any time to rest and was constantly catching him with combinations of punches.

Scott was taking advantage of any mistakes showing great class and power, and at the end of the final round he floored Johnny again. The fight was not stopped however and the promising fighter won easily on points.

Mark Thompson v Martin Welsh

Mark Thompson fought for the first time in two years and won his fight against Welsh on points.

It was one of the best fights of the night as both fighters went for it, attacking each other from the beginning with great intensity and power.

The opening two rounds went to Thompson who was showing great hunger and ambition looking for the win as quick as possible, but Welsh always stayed in the fight.

In the third Welsh’s persistence paid off when caught the hometown boy with a succession of good punches, but it was Thompson who this time showed great defence.

The fight continued in this fashion with both fighters desperate for the win, but it was Mark Thompson who won by two rounds.

Konrad Dabrowski v Craig Woodruff

An eagerly awaited debut for eighteen year old Dabrowski, who was a very successful amateur, ended badly as he lost on points to Craig Woodruff who was also making his debut.

Dabrowski is highly spoken of having won 70 out of his 75 amateur fights but failed to live up to the word as he was outclassed by Welshman Woodruff.

Craig was the better fighter throughout, using a variety of combinations of punches and caused Dabrowski nose to bleed.

The Welshman won three of the four rounds and will now be looking forward to his second fight as he tries to make a name for himself.

Other Results:

Andy Colquhon bt Danny Naylor by KO

Hosea Burton bt Robert Studzinski on PTS

Nathan Brough bt William Warburton on PTS

Darren Hamilton bt John Watson on PTS

Joe Tonks bt Liam Ellis on PTS

War of the Roses- My Report

Kell Brook Outclasses Brave Matthew Hatton

Kell Brook took a step closer to getting a Welterweight world title shot after he out boxed Matthew Hatton over 12 rounds, to claim the victory on points.

Many people had predicted a win for Brook, but not many would have foreseen the ease in which he won. Brook was a class above Matthew Hatton and was never really troubled.

Perhaps the only disappointing thing for Kell Brook and his team is that he was never seriously tested, so we are yet to tell just how good the Sheffield man is. It certainly seems as though he could move up a gear or two.

The fight was set up in the first round when Brook straight away set the tone and pace of the fight. Kell Brook’s quick jab always allowed him to be in control.

Prior to the fight, it was thought Hatton’s best chance was to get in the face of his opponent but Kell showed great class and did not let Hatton get anywhere near him.

The rest of the round had a pattern. Brook would work away on Hatton with a series of quick jabs and body shots, every time Hatton escaped the flurry of punches he could not put an attack together himself.

This was Hatton’s 50^th professional fight and in the fifth round Kell Brook came close to stopping the Manchester fighter.

Brook placed a hard one-two onto Hatton, this put Hatton onto the ropes and from there Brook landed a combination of right hands and it seemed as though the fight may have been stopped. Hatton however used his great deal of experience and survived.

Hatton did hit the canvas in the ninth round, when he was caught by a left hook but showed his bravery and courage as he got up and battled on but could never scare the stylish Brook.

The result was never in doubt and Brook is still undefeated, and it will be only a matter of time until he fights at world level.

Easy Win for Frampton.

Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton defended his title with an easy win against Ghanaian Boxer Prosper Ankrah.

Frampton secured the victory when he stopped the Ghanaian in the second round after a chest shot put Ankrah down and he could not recover.

It was a little disappointing for Frampton as he know doubt would have enjoyed a bigger challenge so he could have learnt more about himself.

However the Jackall is still unbeaten (13-0) and is looking for a fight against domestic rival Scott Quigg.

Purdy Back On Track

There is no such thing as a boring fight when Purdy is involved and he won the English welterweight belt in his usual exciting manner.

Purdy won with a fifth round knockout against highly talked about Adnan Amar who has now suffered his second defeat.

Purdy seemed to be untouchable walking through a series of punches before flooring him with a heavy punch in the third.

Lee Purdy was unstoppable with his right hand, and his power proved too much for Amar who was deemed unfit to continue after the fifth round.

He is an exciting fighter and everyone will want to watch him, people are already talking about Purdy v Gavin, and certainly everyone would want to see that fight.

Hope Pulls of Shock

Welshman Kerry Hope pulled of the upset of the night when he beat the highly rated and unbeaten Grzegorz Proksa.

Proksa was expected by most to see of Hope with relative ease but looked a shadow of the fighter that beat Sebastian Sylvester last October.

Hope had different ideas however and pulled of a performance of a life time and showed great courage to see of Proksa.

The favourite started the brighter but his flashy guard down style opened up the door for the Welshman. Hope caught Proksa with a good shot and cut the eye of the Polish fighter. The cut made a big difference and from then on, Hope showed the class he needed to win on points.

There was no love lost between the two fighters and this was emulated in the eighth round when after the bell, Hope was deducted a point for a needless head-butt on the Pole. The deduction did not affect the outcome and the Welshman won on a majority point’s decision.

This was a result that could really push on Hope’s career as he moves to 17-3 whilst Proksa suffered his first defeat.

Other Results:

Middleweight- Ryan Aston bt Lee Noble on Points.

Middleweight- Eamonn O’Kane bt Wayne Reed on points.

Lightweight- Scott Cardle bt Sid Razak

Middleweight- John Ryder bt Alastair Warren Points.