Flying high: Roman Gonzalez becomes three weight world champion

By Peter Wells:

In one of the hottest division's in modern boxing, Roman Gonzalez moved to 40-0(34) with a quality performance against WBC Flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi 20-4(10), scoring a stoppage in the 9th round.

Roman dominated the contest, scoring 2 knockdowns against the brave but outgunned Yaegashi.

Yaegashi opened the contest well behind the jab, but Gonzalez was not deterred from covering up and targeting the body. Yaegashi found his back to the ropes too much in the 2nd, and after a good 3rd round for the Japanese fighter, he was dropped late in the stanza with the left hand that could barely miss all night for Gonzalez.

The action only heated up from that moment onwards, Yaegashi refusing to shy away from an all-out war that fans had anticipated. The power differential however was telling, Gonzalez shaking Yaegashi on several occasions. The left uppercut was particularly potent in Gonzalez's almost faultless display.

The end was nearing, Yaegashi, while still game, was no longer able to fend off the constant assaults coming from 'Chocolito'. Everything was finding it's way through for the pound-for-pound star, and the end finally came in the 9th when a culmination of shots felled Yaegashi, giving the referee the chance to end the beating.

Yaegashi can be proud of his efforts, but he came up very short against a truly special fighter. Gonzalez will now be waiting on tomorrow nights result between Juan Francisco Estrada and Giovanni Segura.
 

Now 7-0(6) and still the WBC Light Flyweight champion, Naoya Inoue defeated Samartlek Kokietgym 17-5(5) via 11th round stoppage.

Inoue dominated the contest before the Thai fighter was stopped on his feet. 

B-Hop Phone Home: 'The Alien' in familiar territory, ready to execute another unbeaten record

By Peter Wells:


Bernard 'The Alien' Hopkins

It's a new nickname, but the essence in Bernard Hopkins' old alias as 'The Executioner' still remains. For every contest he executes the game plan to perfection and so often has executed the flourishing careers of so many prospects.

On November 11th, many are tipping Hopkins' reign to end at the hands of Sergey Kovalev 25-0-1(23). But are we all so foolish as to write Hopkins off once again? There is no style Hopkins 55-6-2(32) has not seen before. An education of life, self taught in prison and on the streets of Philadelphia. While in the ring his wisdom teaches others the harsh lessons that he taught himself.

Kovalev however offers a new test, a heavy handed Light Heavyweight with a mean streak. This is certainly the biggest challenge that Hopkins has taken since he pushed Joe Calzaghe to a split decision in 2008. Hopkins will need all the guile he can muster to come out victorious, and while the odds should favour Kovalev, there is reason for optimism if you're Team B-Hop.



Early mind games: Hopkins signs to fight Kovalev days prior to
Kovalev-Caparello

Kovalev is a patient stalker, cutting the ring off magnificently, before carefully picking his punches to punish his often intimidated foes. But this patience that works so well against many others, not allowing his often faster opponents to counter punch, will only be a hindrance against Hopkins. If Kovalev decides on waiting for his perfect opportunities, it will suit Bernard down to the ground, a slow pace fight is a dream fight for the old master. Should Kovalev speed things up, rushing in to outwork the often frustrating Hopkins, then plenty of clinching will likely ensue.

Hopkins has the incredible ring craft to avoid the dangerous right hand of Kovalev, while working at his favoured pace, prodding out the jab followed by the odd right cross when Kovalev misses.

Maybe this time, much like against Calzaghe and Chad Dawson, Hopkins' work rate and negative style may cost him. Only time will tell, and thus far time has been a good acquaintance to Hopkins.

Boxing keeps on waiting for Hopkins to grow old over night, but maybe he already has, but like everything in his life so far, Hopkins has adapted, overcome. Instead of saying he is a 49 year old in a 29 year olds body, maybe he is just a 49 year old in a 49 year olds body. Maybe the only way to explain it is how Hopkins himself would explain it best, he's an Alien!

Fish out of water: Austin Trout looks to get back on track

By Peter Wells:



Austin Trout celebrates after defeating Miguel Cotto

It may not be the case all the time, but the majority of boxers will look back at their careers and hurry quickly past the memory of a certain year. Maybe it was a year halted by injuries, or a year where that defining fight they craved never came off. For many it will be the year that the sound of the opponents name being read out as the victor was all they heard after the final bell. Austin Trout 26-2(14) was one of those, and 2013 was the year he will love to forget.

The only two defeats of his otherwise faultless professional career came in 2013, both on points, against the top two Light Middleweights in the world. Saul Alvarez was the first, last April, when the Mexican's victory was never in doubt, despite it being an extremely close fight, that myself and several others scored in favour of Trout. The New Mexico fighter was rightly aggrieved with the manner in which he lost, with ludicrous scorecards of 118-109 and - less so - 116-111 that didn't reflect how close the fight was.

Defeat to Cuban hotshot Erislandy Lara was as clear cut as it gets, the often unpredictable Lara boxed on the move, never allowing Trout to set his feet. This defeat last December must have been the toughest to take, as Lara made the former world champion look rather ordinary.

Trout (left) endures a torrid 12 rounds against Erislandy Lara

Now after 8 months out of the ring, Trout returns to recapture the form that saw him defeat the likes of Rigoberto Alvarez, Delvin Rodriguez and most impressively Miguel Cotto - all unanimous decisions over the championship distance.

His opponent this Friday night is Australian Daniel Dawson 40-3-1(26), a record that is filled with wins over modest opposition. Defeats to former WBO Light Middleweight ruler Serhiy Dzinziruk (TKO 10) and an earlier reverse to then 17-0 Daniel Geale (UD 12) were predictable, unlike his 2010 setback to 12-4-2 Frank Lo Porto (UD 12). Since that latest defeat Dawson has fought his last 7 fights at the same venue in Australia - WA Italian Club. In there is a draw and majority decision win over Virgil Kalakoda.

Not the most fearsome of opponent, but 'The Rock' will be up for his chance on ESPN Friday Night Fights, at 36 knowing this is his last opportunity to make an impression.



Daniel Dawson

Trout looked poor last time out against Lara, but then again Lara can do that to anyone on his day. In spite of defeat to Alvarez, there were more positives than negatives to take from that fight.

A quality boxer who grows stronger as a fight goes on, Trout puts his punches together nicely. He has the ability to fight both on the outside with a solid jab and long left from the Southpaw stance, or on the inside where he slings uppercuts in that were so effective against Cotto.

So long as confidence has not been shattered, Trout will be far too good for Dawson, and he can quite possibly force a stoppage late in the 12 rounder to dive back into the world title picture.

What's next for Kell Brook?

By Peter Wells:

Kell Brook celebrating the beginning of a new chapter

Unfortunately boxing rarely lets a fighter soak in the feeling of victory, and no more so when its a world title victory. Because, as the name would suggest, the 'world' is watching, and questions regarding the next step are what both fans and media alike want to hear.

For Kell Brook, speculation of his next opponent began the moment his hand was raised as a majority decision victor for Shawn Porter's IBF Welterweight title. Amir Khan's name was on the lips of everyone viewing, and the questions were soon filtering in.

Khan was sat in the studio, and rightly admitted that Brook had now earned his status as a world class fighter, something he had yet to prove, and that a fight between the pair would now make sense.

Keith Thurman, who looked likely to face Porter next had the American kept hold of his crown, was at ringside, and it wasn't long before his promoter Oscar De La Hoya was telling the media that his fighter was willing to travel across the Atlantic for a fight with Brook.

Another name on the likely next opponent list, will be a familiar one for British fight fans. Leonard Bundu, the unbeaten Italian who's reign as European champion is warranting of a world title attempt.



Brook (left) grew stronger as the fight wore on

The world title winning effort from Kell was a scrappy one, one in which he had to dig deep at times, winning ugly. He won ugly but the victory was beautiful, his name now mentioned with Manny Pacquiao (WBO) and Floyd Mayweather (WBA & WBC) as the current world champions at 147lbs.

While Porter was favoured slightly, looking back on the fight, it does not come as such a surprise that Brook was able to neutralise so much of what Porter does well. It involved some veteran tactics, like holding on the inside, and also took a low output to deny Porter too many openings.

While not trying to rain on Porter's recent performances, Devon Alexander and Paulie Malignaggi both had unconventional styles, especially when it came to defence. Porter's long swings from outside were nightmares for those two fighters. Against Brook, Porter could not adjust his style, and with the lack of opportunities to land clean from the outside on the defensively sound Brook, his best successes came when he pounded the body of Brook, a feat that became a none-factor in the later rounds as Brook really took control.

On the other side of the fence, one could suggest that while Brook's performance was far from 'Special', that was more or less down to the opponent. Against a Thurman or a Khan, Brook may find it far easier to find a smoother rhythm. Porter has feasted on opponents thanks to them not finding their timing, something that offsets their game plan. Credit must go to Brook for remaining composed when his punches were almost all missing the target in the early goings.


Amir Khan can silence a lot of critics with a win over Brook

A meeting with Khan may not be taking place this year. Something tells me that this clash has a special date in April or May of 2015 set up. A homecoming for the new champion in Sheffield looks more likely.

But say that the huge all-British clash does take place next for both boxers, the fight will certainly divide opinion.

It seems as though it is easy to forget just what Khan has achieved. Dropping and very nearly stopping Marcos Maidana in the opening round of their 2010 clash, before standing up to several bombs from the Argentine puncher to eek out a close decision win. He also scored a 5th round knockout of Zab Judah and was unlucky to lose his titles in a controversial fight with now IBF Light Welterweight champion, Lamont Peterson. He has also met the likes of Danny Garcia, Andriy Kotelnik and Paulie Malignaggi. His most recent victory over Luis Collazo, was a fine display of how Virgil Hunter has helped improve Khan's defensive lapses.

Khan is a tall and rangy operator, and his speed can cause any fighter problems. If Brook were banking on just catching Khan on the chin and scoring the knockout then it would be a rather long night. Khan's footspeed and handspeed should be enough to take a points victory over Brook, but with Khan there is always the worry that his wanting to entertain, could leave him in deep waters again. If the fight became a battle at close quarters, like it was when Khan fought Peterson and Julio Diaz, then Brook would almost certainly come out victorious.


Keith Thurman is ready to travel to the UK

A clash with Thurman is a great one for boxing fans, another Welterweight matchup between two unbeaten fighters. Thurman can punch, but has certainly shown more dimensions to his work than Porter, but he has also been vulnerable at times, no more so than his nip-and-tuck affair with Diego Chaves, before he separated himself from Chaves with a 10th round knockout blow.

An extremely confident fighter, Thurman can box and punch, and his education against the likes of Jan Zaveck, Jesus Soto Karass and the aforementioned Chaves has helped him develop to a world title contender.

Thurman's more conventional style would give Brook more of an opportunity to display his full boxing arsenal, expect another intriguing fight that could go either way.

Finally, for me the most likely of Brook's next opponents, Leonard Bundu. The 'British Slayer' has earned both a villain status and great respect on these shores, with victories over Lee Purdy and most impressively Frankie Gavin. And the Italian wouldn't mind breaking a few more British hearts by dethroning Brook in his backyard.



Leonard Bundu is ready for the step up

Bundu does possess similar traits to Porter, but his aggression and punch power hasn't been displayed at world level. One would have to imagine that Brook could be made to look good against Bundu, but then again so was Gavin.

Bundu would offer some tricky moments for Brook, but what a world class fighter brings to the table would be too much for the well liked King of Europe. Brook will have learnt on the job against Porter and would put those lessons into practice with a fine display.

All three are mouth watering options, and it just highlights the level of competition that Brook will be facing. With a world title, and the fact that he isn't named Pacquiao or Mayweather, he now has a bright target on his back, and almost every world title contender, who isn't quite in line to face the two superstars of boxing, will be calling his name.

Wherever this road takes Brook, and however long this reign lasts, it will be fun. Welterweight is ripe with talent and now Kell Brook is right in the thick of it.

Kell Brook vs Shawn Porter Preview

By Peter Wells:

Shawn Porter (left) & Kell Brook (right)

They say that good things come to those who wait, that patience will be rewarded. The only glitch in this situation is that the phrase mostly comes under the context of being given something after a long wait.

You wait long enough to win the lottery and one day - with a huge dose of good fortune - you might win, but luck nor fate have any say once two fighters face off in the squared circle. A boxer can wait a lifetime - in boxing career terms - and never be rewarded with what they seek.

That is why Kell Brook's long wait for a crack at a world title is not going to come to a halt just because of his patience. Shawn Porter - the IBF Welterweight champion of the world - will have no interest come Saturday night in Kell's quest for glory.

Brook 32-0(22) from Sheffield, heads across the Atlantic to meet Akron, Ohio's undefeated Porter 24-0-1(15). Both are on hot streaks, but it is Porter who has dealt his cards with the higher calibre opponents. The StubHub Center in Carson, California is the venue for this triple header.

Brook endured three cancellations for his proposed title tilt with former IBF titleholder Devon Alexander, twice Brook was forced out with injury and once was Alexander struck down by the injury bug that ended any chance of the fight happening. More likely than not, the cancellations were a blessing in disguise. After dispatching his domestic rivals, Brook was forced to dig deep by unheralded Carson Jones (W MD 12). That was followed by a 3rd round stoppage of overmatched Hector David Saldivia - who for any who watched his previous losses knew what was coming. While it was an eliminator, it didn't seem enough to take Kell into the world title picture of the hottest weight division in boxing.

The cancellation of Brook-Alexander led to a more convincing rematch with Jones (W TKO 8), before an eye-opening 4th round stoppage of Vyacheslav Senchenko. That was followed by a routine 8th round TKO of Alvaro Robles.

But on the other side of the Atlantic, a month prior to the Senchenko victory, Porter was busy dispatching his own demons, outscoring Julio Diaz (W UD 10), whom he had previously drawn with. Then in December the landscape in the 147lbs division was altered as Porter sent Devon Alexander sprawling across the ring for 12 rounds in Brooklyn, winning a unanimous decision, Porter's dominance far from reflected in the scorecards. That was topped in April this year when Porter may well have ended the career of Paulie Malignaggi with a four beating that no one could have predicted. The durable and skilful Malignaggi had no answer for the marauding attacks from Porter.



Porter (left) destroys the quality Malignaggi in 4 rounds

Any chance of Porter underestimating Brook have been quashed by the man himself, who seems to be taking his mandatory challenger very seriously indeed.

Brook's credentials at world level will be put to the test in America, and while his offensive work has gradually improved with the improvement of his opponents, he has twice come close to unravelling when the opponent puts the same spite in his work. Jones forced Brook to dig very deep in the 2nd half of their first contest, when Brook showed the fans and critics alike his ability to suck it up when need be. Then in his destruction of Senchenko, Brook walked onto a hard right hand that wobbled the Englishman, before he regained his composure to score the stoppage in the same round. The question remains of what will happen if and when Porter lands flush?

Porter himself can look rather crude when in attack mode, compared to the neater and more elegant boxing of Brook. If Kell can find his range, he can keep Porter at bay before engaging on his own terms. Porter will swing with the harder but wilder punches, while Kell will land with the more orthodox shots.

All while Porter's punches may look wild, there is a method to his madness, his footwork leads to him cutting the ring off well, offering his opponents no other alternative but to face him head on. This is where Kell will need to display composure. Porter's head movement offers opponents little to counter too.

Porter has the power and the ability to catch, drop and stop Brook early, but to offer this as a final prediction would be unjust to both Brook's chin and ring generalship.



Sakio Bika (left) & Anthony Dirrell (right)

Expect Brook to be marginally ahead at the half way mark - judges in America will side with the aggressive Porter in any tight rounds. Porter's engine keeping him right on Brook's toes throughout, working away when he can trap Brook on the ropes. Porter can also land heavy punches from the outside which will only make things more difficult as the fight wears on for Kell. He displayed this against Alexander when he would land the first punch from distance before darting inside quickly, a tactic he employed all fight.

A stoppage for me isn't on the cards, but Porter can take a close and deserved decision win, after 12 thoroughly enjoyable rounds of excellent boxing and ferocious action from the two fighters.


On the undercard, Sakio Bika 32-5-3(21) is set for a rematch with Anthony Dirrell 26-0-1(22) for the WBC Super Middleweight title.

In the last encounter, they fought to a draw, both fighters hurt on multiple occasions, in a scrappy but fun spectacle.



Omar Figueroa (left) & Daniel Estrada (right)

Expect the same fireworks again this time, but Dirrell can find enough work on the outside to edge out the Australian this time around.

Omar Figueroa 23-0-1(17) also has a knack for exciting fights, and his contest with Daniel Estrada 32-2-1(24) should be no different.

The WBC Lightweight title held by Figueroa is on the line, and he can retain it once again with an entertaining points win. Estrada will offer a good test, but the incredible work rate of Omar will leave him a clear second best.

No Fury-Chisora, but stacked undercard saves the day

By Peter Wells:


Fury will have been flipping more tables when Chisora pulled out with injury

It's not very often in boxing that you can take away the main event and still sit their satisfied with the line-up. And while the loss of Tyson Fury's rematch with Dereck Chisora is a huge blow for this Frank Warren show, it's not the end of the world, all thanks to a stacked undercard.

Chisora's replacement, Alexander Ustinov, is as good a 1 week notice substitute as you can get, and the upgraded main attraction between unbeatens Billy Joe Saunders and Emanuele Blandamura is a high quality fight in itself.

The undercard is boosted by two British title fights, where Liam Smith defends his Light Middleweight version of the Lonsdale Belt against former Frankie Gavin victim and aggressive boxer, Jason Welborn. Black Country boxing fans will also have a chance to see Martin Gethin attempt to reclaim his British Lightweight crown against unbeaten Terry Flanagan. Also on the bill two prospects face off for the Central Area Light Welterweight title in Nathan Brough and Jack Catterall and Liam Williams takes on Ronnie Heffron in a final eliminator for the Light Middleweight British title.

Appearances for Chris Eubank Jr, Liam Walsh, Bradley Saunders, Eddie Chambers and many more completes a 15 fight card.

A true mouth watering spectacle for British boxing fans that enjoy tough-to-call contests.

In the main event, Saunders 19-0(10) will face his toughest test to date against Blandamura 22-0(5) for the vacant European Middleweight belt.

Blandamura won the European Union version of the European title last time out in January, where he shone on BoxNation from Germany as he boxed brilliantly to outscore the favoured Marcos Nader. The split decision did not do justice to the Italians' performance as he countered the aggression of Nader. Albeit Nader's performance was far from what was expected.



Billy Joe Saunders (right) will now be the main attraction

Blandamura showed a solid chin and decent power of his own that is not reflected by just 5 knockout wins, but the 34 year old seems to be getting better with age. But outside of Nader, his resume hasn't been exceptional.

Saunders will prove much tougher to hit than the crude Nader, but Saunders has been out of action since September last year. That night he was forced to dig very deep against underrated John Ryder, taking a unanimous decision by the skin of his teeth. Not a big puncher either, Saunders is a magnificent boxer, whose fast hands and technical noose have seen him dominate his domestic rivals.

While Blandamura will be awkward, one sees the speed and accuracy of Saunders being the difference. Blandamura may need to rough Saunders up if he is to pull off an upset. After avoiding punishment early, Blandamura will begin to eat more shots between rounds 5-9, before Saunders boxes to a comfortable decision win, although a late push for a stoppage could make a big statement.



Terry Flanagan will hope to add the British title to his Prizefighter trophy

In the best of the British title fights, Flanagan 24-0(8) will finally get his chance to prove himself on the big domestic stage against former champion Martin Gethin 24-5-1(11).

After a rough patch in 2008/09 Gethin has sprung his career into life with wins over Carl Johanneson and Ben Murphy - TKO 11 and TKO 9. In the latter he won the British title that he went on to lose in a split decision loss to Derry Matthews - who has now vacated the title. Prior to the Matthews encounter, Gethin found his level against fringe world class Panamanian Ammeth Diaz (KO 7).

Flanagan's best run of form came in 2012 where he dominated the aggressive Troy James (UD 10) before being crowned Prizefighter champion, beating Patrick Walsh, Derry Matthews and Gary Sykes all on points over 3 rounds. Since then his most notable opponents have been faded Nate Campbell (RTD 4) and Michael Grant (TKO 2) in a fight where both hit the canvas.

That stutter in his development will have only made the well schooled Flanagan more determined to prove a point on Saturday night, and he will feel that Gethin, who slowly but surely bulls his way into his fights, will be the perfect opponent.



Jason Welborn (left) & Martin Gethin (right) fight in separate bouts

Flanagan can start fast, outworking Gethin to claim an early advantage. If Gethin can kick into gear before the halfway mark of the contest then after taking most of Flanagan's fast punches on the gloves he can begin to wear the home fighter down. Gethin may need to force a stoppage late to take back the British title, but the pick is for the Walsall man to take a very close decision win.

Liam Smith 16-0-1(6) will make the 2nd defence of his British crown against former British Welterweight challenger, Jason Welborn 15-2(6).

The aggressive Welborn has found better form at 154lbs, after he lost in 7 to Frankie Gavin. His 8th round stoppage win over Terry Carruthers last year highlighted his limitations with Carruthers up on the scorecards before cuts halted his Midlands Area title reign. Carruthers is better than his record suggests but he is still not on Smith's level when it comes to boxing, and it could prove to be a very tough night for the entertaining Welborn.

Smith is a quality boxer who can dig as he showed when stopping Mark Thompson in 4 last time out.


Liam Smith (left) winning British crown against Erick Ochieng

Welborn will come forward all night as he did against Gavin last year, but his attacks will often be met by crisp combinations. Smith, well ahead on the scorecards, can possibly force a late stoppage.

Tyson Fury 22-0(16) can take his frustrations out on Ustinov 29-1(21) scoring a stoppage inside 6. But Peter Fury must ensure Tyson is 100% focused on the game plan, knowing full well that Ustinov will be looking for one big shot to cause an unlikely upset.

While Liam Williams 9-0-1(4) seems to be on the rise, Heffron 15-1(5) will use his experience to earn a tight unanimous decision win, although it is unlikely to be as controversial as his last decision win over John Thain.

Catterall 8-0(4) vs Brough 11-0(2) can provide plenty of entertainment, with Catterall forcing a stoppage late in the contest.

Walsh 15-0(10) may need the full 10 to beat Kevin Hooper 15-2(3) while Eubank Jr 16-0(11) can destroy Ivan Jukic 19-2(12) inside 4 rounds. Eddie Chambers 39-4(21) can also get the job done inside 4 against Marcelo Luiz Nascimento 17-6(15).

Commey outpoints Buckland for Commonwealth title

By Peter Wells:

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.