VIPBoxing.com Undercard reports from Sunday's Show

[Stegsie]

Jennings powers past Van Emmenis

Liverpool Super Featherweight Lee Jennings powered past John Van Emmines during their contest, scheduled for four three minute rounds, at Robin Park, Wigan on Sunday.

Jennings bossed form the outset and caught Van Emmines with a crisp body shot in the opener which sent a grimace across the face of the Devonshire man. Jennings proceeded to hold centre of the ring and repeatedly land solid shots to both the head and midriff of Van Emmines. Each punch was sent with full force as the Liverpool man sat down on his shots form the outset.

Jennings began the second as he ended the first, working his man and keeping Van Emmines on the back foot, seemingly landing at will against an opponent looking way out of his depth. A right from Jennings was the catalyst for the first knockdown of the fight. Jennings had set the right hook up beautifully by landing a body shot to first lower the guard of his foe. Upon rising to his feet, a beaten Van Emmines was again downed. This time a thunderous straight right did the damage, this time he didn’t rise for more. Van Emmines record now stands at 1-5-1.

A solid win for Jennings, who rises to 2-0 (1). At 27 Jennings will need to move quickly if he is to realise the potential shown on today’s outing. His tall straight stand up style could cause problems for opponents, but also provide a large target area for scoring punches. An interesting and exciting edition to the VIP stable. One to watch.

Composed Murray looks to come of age

St Helens fan favourite Martin Murray is quickly developing into one of the finest ‘unknown’ prospects in the North West. Murray dismantled his Sheffield opponent, Carl Wild, in the second round of their Super Middleweight contest at Robin Park Arena, Wigan, on Sunday. Coming into the contest Murray was giving away a weight advantage of almost a stone, yet the bout which was scheduled for six three’s was not destined to go the distance.

Murray, who is trained by Oliver Harrison at Olivers gym in Salford, started the fight tentatively by popping out a jab and having a keen look over his opponent. Wilds defence remained tight, keeping the target area to a minimum, yet the relatively inexperienced Murray wasted nothing on arms and gloves. Instead, Murray elected to step back form his opponent and look for new openings. Many prospects would be eager to throw flurries of punches toward a covered opponent on the ropes, but Murray appeared keen not to waste anything.

With the reconnaissance round complete, Murray came out for the second with far more purpose. Both knockdowns were scored in quick succession, and both knockdowns were down to the explosive body punching of Murray. Wild received treatment in the ring following the second knockdown, which was preceded by a straight right to the head which may have caused the damage before the left hook to the body finished the job. Wild falls to 6-9 (1), whilst Murrays record now stands at 8-0 (2).

Murray will without doubt be an interesting addition to the middleweight division. His deceptive knockout ratio could catch a few cold with both of his KO wins being devastating and spectacular. Further development over the coming 12 months could see Murray manoeuvred into some interesting domestic scraps. With underrated power and tidy boxing ability he could shock a few who haven’t had the pleasure of seeing him live.

Chris Johnson - safe yet steady

LIGHT-MIDDLEWEIGHT prospect Chris Johnson gave a safe yet steady performance in outpointing Sutton’s David Kirk over four three-minute rounds at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Sunday.

The Manchester fighter got off to a slow start but was in control throughout, peppering ‘Kirky’ with a solid jab and using the ring to display superior footwork.

The first round saw Johnson - who moves to 9-1 (1 KO) - stalking his opponent behind a tight guard.

The second was much the same, though at times Johnson spent more time watching and waiting than punching and pushing forward.

A smattering of lefts to the body towards the end of the round kept ‘Johno’ on top, but it was third that saw him capitalise on his basic early work by stepping up the pace and firing combinations at the limited Kirk (11-71-3).

Kirk then started to rush in and was caught with left hooks and a stiffer jab, but it was the final round that saw both men wake up a little and stir the crowd.

A pedestrian affair, but Johnson always looked the likely winner and came away with a 40-36 verdict.

Professional performance from Godding

THE Lancashire Fusiliers’ rousing fanfare made way for an entertaining four round battle between Ricky Godding and Johnny Greaves at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena on Sunday.

The VIP show proved to be a big hit with the crowd, as did Bolton’s Godding (4-0), whose relaxed entrance gave the impression of a languid fighter.

Not so. Godding used all his 10st 5lbs to push his lighter opponent (Greaves weighed 10st 4lbs) around the ring, pummelling him to the body and head over a hectic first three minutes.

Tall and lean, the 23-year-old really sits down on his punches and punished the cocky Cockney in close, the straight right proving to be his pet punch.

Godding has a very European style, direct and fluid, and he showed more devil in his work from the second round onwards.

A stinging left hook opened Greaves up for more close combinations, though at times the bout became a little untidy, with Ricky frustrated at Greaves’ continual holding.

Godding moved through the gears in the third, while Greaves, now 29, was content to dance around and take as few punches as possible.

Ten seconds of showboating later and the East Ham fighter was on the receiving end of a blistering five punch combination against the ropes, with Godding whipping in body shots from left and right.

Now three rounds behind, it didn’t seem to bother Johnny Greaves, whose attempted Ali shuffle in the fourth gave Godding more impetus. A punishing left hook, followed by a series of rights, left the hapless Londoner staggering around, but he held on to lose a 40-36 decision.

This was a hugely impressive and professional performance from Godding, who has the tools to move in higher circles within the next 12 months.

Sam Doleman & Martin Williams

[Captain Hook]

I was impressed with Godding, though Johnson needs to step it up if he wants to get anywhere. Played it far too safe.

[sweetscience]

I was impressed with Godding, though Johnson needs to step it up if he wants to get anywhere. Played it far too safe.

got an instant dislike to godding cause one of his fans nearly bust my eardrum screaming all the fooking fight

Johnson disappointed me also, but that was only because i know he has power simerlar to that of Mark Thompson and he didnt seem to want to use it

[Wales]

really... what makes you say his power is comparible to Marks. I think mark is a bigger hitter than people give him credit for, form what Ive seen in the gym, and having spoke to stablemates he is a terribly hard hitter.

[sweetscience]

really... what makes you say his power is comparible to Marks. I think mark is a bigger hitter than people give him credit for, form what Ive seen in the gym, and having spoke to stablemates he is a terribly hard hitter.

he isnt quite as big a puncher as mark, but ive heard he aint far off from a few guys who spar him

[Wales]

Marks an interesting one in that he boxes southpaw, but is right handed, makes his jab and right hooks very assertive.

[sweetscience]

mark just has seriously freaky power, he must be top 5 p4p puncher in uk

[Wales]

It'll be interesting to see how he fares with the UK's welters soon enough, then we'll know how hard he hits. Theres a mouth watering clash which could be coming up quite soon...

[sweetscience]

i take it he just gets a final eliminator with Mutley due to that welsh pullout king pulling out again

now that will be a fight, worthy of a Brit Title on its own

[Wales]

Muttley has a title eliminator with O'Donnell first