For the first time in his career, Richard Commey heard the sound of the final bell in his 18th professional contest. Gary Buckland became the first man to take the Ghanaian the distance, but that is not to say the power has been a hoax, far from it. The power is still there as it took a step up in opposition, but the chin and resilience combined in Buckland's armoury made sure that the heavy handed fighter would not make him victim number 18. Instead Commey 18-0(17) took a wide points victory in a fight that's story is not fully told on the scorecards. Commey did just enough to win almost all of the rounds, but Buckland 28-5(9) ensured each round was tough and close.
Buckland felt Commey's power enough throughout the 12 rounds, and also dished out his own brand of hurtful punches, highlighting Commey's solid chin to go with his two-fisted powerful attacks.
Buckland got straight to work in the opening round, landing several right hands over the top, but Commey, not fazed, took to sending a high output in the direction of Buckland to steady those assaults. Buckland was far from reckless but he could have done with being a little more pro-active, as he was often found throwing that one looping right without anything backing it up.
What I jotted down in the 2nd round was something I wrote down for several other rounds too, for every hard right Buckland lands, Commey responds with a combination.
Buckland was tagged hard and felt the power of Commey in the 3rd, and not for the last time in the fight, as he backed up for the first time. When Buckland responded, Commey's ability to avoid punches on the ropes was fantastic as he took minimal damage. Commey was also able to get his punches off first before relying on his reflexes to avoid the lunging counters from the Welshman.
Buckland's relentless pressure was a homage to the way he brings his all to the table every time he steps inside the ring. He was taking plenty of jabs and right hands for his troubles but continued to plod forward.
Buckland worked the body well, before firing upstairs with the right hand, but Commey's chiselled frame took it well. Round 6 was probably Buckland's best round of the fight at that point.
Commey responded in the 7th, firing away recklessly as Buckland called him on. Now the left hook was added to the right cross for Buckland who was beginning to find a lot more success as Commey was in need of just re-gaining his composure.
Commey stuck together good single shots in the 9th to accommodate the combinations that Buckland was beginning to time. A good burst from Buckland ensured he kept the round tight.
The pace had dropped, understandably, and Buckland continued to find short successes, who was now firing straight back and landing.
A point deduction for a punch to the back of the head for Buckland saw him up the aggression as he managed to make it a 9-9 11th round.
Commey was happy to hear the final bell in the last round, having tired slightly, but he was a comfortable winning, hearing scorecards of 117-111 (twice) and 118-110. I scored the contest 117-110 Commey.
In the two headline feature bouts, Freddie Turner 11-0 thoroughly dominated Kris Agyie-Dua 7-3-2(2) before the contest was stopped at the beginning of the 8th after a head clash opened a cut over the right eye of Turner.Turner was aggressive from the off and forced the usually offensive Agyie-Dua into a fight he was not predicting. Turner worked well from distance before pouring it on inside, forcing Agyie-Dua onto the ropes.
The referee scored the bout 80-73 to Turner, perfectly in line with my own scorecard.
In the other contest Miles Shinkwin 9-0(3) edged out Joel McIntyre 11-1(1) in a back and forth contest. Shinkwin was the much better boxer, but could not sustain his outside work for long enough periods as McIntyre made it an extremely uncomfortable night.
The fight was scored 97-95 Shinkwin, I scored it 95-95.
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