My big fight ringside report.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 18 Sep 2005, 11:39

On Friday the 16th of September I made a very rare return to my old stomping ground of Telford, Shropshire to attend Oakengates Theatre for a fight card. It's the same venue I saw a young Richie Woodhall and Robert McCracken had some of their earliest professional fights nearly 15 years ago!

I dragged my younger brother along with me and as it was an open show we managed to get there early, have a quick pint and grab some great seats. The Theatre soon filled up and appeared to be a sell out. However some of the crowd reminded me why I had left Telford all those years ago. Unfortunately just before the fights started my brother went to the toilet and asked me to save his seat. Then one of Telfords drunken missing links tried to pinch his seat. I tried to explain to 'Darwins Surprise' that the seat was taken, but he wasn't listening. As he was much bigger than me he obviously fancied his chances. Than a battle of him pushing the chair seat down then me pushing it up again before he could sit on it started. There was no way I was giving in as there were no seats left apart from a few right at the back.

Then to my great relief my 6ft 1", 250lb 'little' brother returned form the toilet, tapped 'Natures Mistake' on the shoulder and said "Thats my chair mate". The Missing Link then dragged his knuckles back to the bar.

The Fights.

First up making his professional debut was Telfords Light-Middleweight Gary Round against Birminghams Joe Mitchell over 6, 2's.

This was the best fight of the night, Round looked very nervous entering the ring but showed a good sharp jab and very good footwork against the determined Mitchell who was landing some good body shots and right hand crosses.

By round three, Gary Round was begining to tire I assume from the body shots and maybe nervous energy, but managed to last untill the final bell. It was a good, entertaining fight which could have gone either way. I felt it was a draw but Round won a 58-57 points win off referee Paul Thomas who officiated the whole bill.

It's early days but I liked the look of Gary Round although he still has many amateur traits and was very open to the right hand, needs to develope his power and work on his nerves/stamina etc, he has talent.

Next was Telfords Light-Middleweight Mark Lloyd making his professional debut against Nottingham novice Dennis Corpe again over 6 two minute rounds. Lloyd is much flashier than his stablemate Round and reminded me stylewise of a young Carl Froch, Corpe was very determined and came to win but Lloyd was too fast and strong and won every round on mine and the refs card.

In the next fight at Super-Featherweight Telfords Shaun Walton had his second Professional fight against late replacement Abdul Mougharbel of Syria via Huddersfield. This to was a hard fought entertaining fight. Dispite Walton having big Height and reach advantages over Mougharbel he failed to capitalise on this. Mougharbel at times was to be fair very unorthodox and fought like a mix between Naseem Hamed and Pernell Whitiker which seemed to confuse Walton who at times seemed very open to shots, but landed many of his own. At the end Shaun Walton won a lucky, to my mind draw. It was a close fight but the game Mougharbel looked disappointed with the verdict and I could see why. Shaun Walton however also thought he won and although I coudn't hear all that was said he seemed to ask Paul Thomas politely why he had scored it a draw. Shaun Walton can fight but I feel needs to be put in with a more orthodox fighter next time untill he has more experience.

Top of the bill at Welterweight over four, three minute rounds was Telfords Tristan Davies having his fourth professional fight against late sub Karl Taylor from the Nobby Nobbs stable. Tristan Davies like all the home fighters on the bill still has many amateur habits but easily outpointed the much more experienced Taylor whom as he often does just came to survive. Davies showed, good speed and movement, but seems to lack a little in punching power and strength on the inside and was unable to solve Taylors spoiling tactics. Still Davies remained unbeaten with a 40-37 points victory.

After the fight Karl Taylor was presented with a certificate for passing 100 fights.

Were any other Boxrec members at this card? Do you agree with my report?

Cheers fight fans.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 18 Sep 2005, 14:19

Very interesting report, KOJOE. Well done.

You're prologue probably makes familiar reading for most UK folks, especially ones like myself who log on to news sites and see stuff like this:

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,3 ... 40,00.html

and:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/default.stm

Only last Friday night some scumbag attacked me, unprovoked, from behind

, with a pair of brass knucks. Luckily, I take a helluva shot (or 10) and was able to give him an appetiser of what real Pain feels like shortly afterwards - cuts and bruises vanish after days, but mental hurt lasts decades.

Thankfully it didn't take his severe physical injury to get to that point, but the thing to worry about is that the police didn't even turn up over a day after they were called, giving the excuse they were too busy with a 20 man riot, which featured multiple stabbings.

Shouldn't complain too much, as with my nose like this, I look more like my hero... Bernard Hopkins.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 18 Sep 2005, 16:25

How much where the tickets koejoe?

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 18 Sep 2005, 16:55

Damn i didn't know there was a fight card in Telford or i would have gone

I'm only down the road from Oakengates.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 19 Sep 2005, 04:25

Twinkle Toes wrote:How much where the tickets koejoe?

£25.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 19 Sep 2005, 05:35

Good report KO. I was at ringside and it was a good show, My report is at britishboxing.net

Nice venue too but too small and I doubt if the board will allow another one there,

I thought Mitchell was unlucky not to get at least a draw.

Some good fights coming up in the Midlands Area soon. Steve689 keep checking the schedules on BBN

A cracker at Dudley on the 6th October - Midlands title at middleweight between Andy Halder and Darren McDermott also Haider Ali will feature on the undercard.

Kev

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 19 Sep 2005, 05:43

Good report. I have been to Telford and missing links like the one you mention are everywhere! Nothing quite spoils a good boxing night like a pissed up neanderthal. ;)

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 19 Sep 2005, 05:43

I'm glad that none of the locals lost as the security wasn't up to much!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Sep 2005, 08:36

The pathetic levels of security at boxing matches never ceases to amaze me when you consider the makeup of the crowd, the close proximity of a bar, and the often incendiary local rivalries being played out.

I'll never forget the riot which broke out at the Wembley conference centre a few years back at a Michael Ayers fight, a good 75 people rowing in the stalls the security looked utterly helpless. Luckily it blew itself out, but if it had escalated security would have had no chance.

I know it is an additional expense for promoters, but surely the safety of the crowd should be a real issue.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 19 Sep 2005, 08:42

I agree, there was a huge tearup at York Hall a couple years back, forget who was fighting but there were a load of gypsies following one of their guys and it all went off. About 30 of the fuckers scrapping and chairs flying about everywhere. Security didnt have a fornicating clue.

Goz and Knockout were there that night, who was fighting when it went off?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 20 Sep 2005, 13:14

jamesmcdonnell wrote:The pathetic levels of security at boxing matches never ceases to amaze me when you consider the makeup of the crowd, the close proximity of a bar, and the often incendiary local rivalries being played out.

I agree, in 1994 I was at the Birningham NEC for the Nigel Benn vs Juan Carlos Gimenez fight. On the undercard Robert McCracken fought Steve Foster. Both these fighters has a 'volatile' element in their fanbase and there was the added rivalery of Birmingham vs Man City that the fighters and their fans followed.

I told the mates I was going with that these two sets of fans may clash and they sure did there was a near riot in the arena, blood, teeth and chairs were flying everywhere.

Security and the Police? Nowhere to be seen.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 20 Sep 2005, 13:16

nickd wrote:I have been to Telford and missing links like the one you mention are everywhere!

Very true. Thats why when I left Telford in 92 to go to University I never went back and only return when I have to.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 20 Sep 2005, 15:23

KOJOE90 wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:The pathetic levels of security at boxing matches never ceases to amaze me when you consider the makeup of the crowd, the close proximity of a bar, and the often incendiary local rivalries being played out.
I agree, in 1994 I was at the Birningham NEC for the Nigel Benn vs Juan Carlos Gimenez fight. On the undercard Robert McCracken fought Steve Foster. Both these fighters has a 'volatile' element in their fanbase and there was the added rivalery of Birmingham vs Man City that the fighters and their fans followed.

I told the mates I was going with that these two sets of fans may clash and they sure did there was a near riot in the arena, blood, teeth and chairs were flying everywhere.

Security and the Police? Nowhere to be seen.

I remember Big Nige's dismayed musings afterwards live on ITV:

(paraphrased) "You come here to watch a fight. If you want to have a fight, go down the boozer."

JimmyJamJerusalem · Post by **JimmyJamJerusalem** » 20 Sep 2005, 23:14

Supprised nothing ever kicks off at the Cardiff shows. Enzo Maccrinelli and a few other fighters attract a large Swansea contingent, and there is always a Cardiff city crowd there too. Cardiff and Swansea HATE one another. At every Cardiff show somewhere around the middle, the Cardiff City lot announce themselves. All hooting their horns and chanting at the Swansea lot. Sam Haman came the one night, and started doing the Ayatollah salute, the Cardiff lot went mental.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 21 Sep 2005, 12:12

JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:Supprised nothing ever kicks off at the Cardiff shows. Enzo Maccrinelli and a few other fighters attract a large Swansea contingent, and there is always a Cardiff city crowd there too. Cardiff and Swansea HATE one another. At every Cardiff show somewhere around the middle, the Cardiff City lot announce themselves. All hooting their horns and chanting at the Swansea lot. Sam Haman came the one night, and started doing the Ayatollah salute, the Cardiff lot went mental.

I wasn't there but watching on TV I thought something was going to kick off at the Hamed v Robinson fight.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 21 Sep 2005, 13:22

KOJOE90 wrote:
JimmyJamJerusalem wrote:Supprised nothing ever kicks off at the Cardiff shows. Enzo Maccrinelli and a few other fighters attract a large Swansea contingent, and there is always a Cardiff city crowd there too. Cardiff and Swansea HATE one another. At every Cardiff show somewhere around the middle, the Cardiff City lot announce themselves. All hooting their horns and chanting at the Swansea lot. Sam Haman came the one night, and started doing the Ayatollah salute, the Cardiff lot went mental.
I wasn't there but watching on TV I thought something was going to kick off at the Hamed v Robinson fight.

Nah, too many supporting the one guy and the fight was just too one sided for arguments. When we are beaten us Welsh just tend to put our heads down and flitter off.

Never forget the night Michael Smyth challenged Geoff McCreesh.