Unbeaten Daws handed big title chance

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 05 Jan 2006, 15:12

http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk

Unbeaten boxer Lenny Daws will fight for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday, January 20, writes Ross Basham.

It is a massive chance for the 27-year-old from Sutton to win his first title, having won his first 12 bouts since turning professional in 2003.

Daws had been expected to face Nigel Wright for his English title, but the Commonwealth champion Junior Witter has vacated his belt to concentrate on gaining a shot at Ricky Hatton's world title.

Having been given the unexpected opportunity, Daws must now beat Ghanaian James Armah to become champion.

Armah, 29, has lost only one of his 15 fights and will make history if he wins by becoming the only man to hold the Commonwealth title at three different weights.

Daws said: "This is a massive step up for me, but I have got to take this chance.

"Eight weeks ago I was looking at potential fights for the Southern Area title or the English title, so to get a call to tell me I am going to fight for the Commonwealth title is a dream come true.

"Most of my fights have been up north, so as this fight is in London I am hoping for a lot of support."

Daws' top-of-the-bill fight will be televised live on Sky TV.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 06 Jan 2006, 09:08

Big chance for Daws to announce his arrival. The weight should favour Daws but I recall this guy proving to tough and strong for Bobby Vanzie a few years back.

Will probably be a very entertaining and gruelling fight for the fans.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 06 Jan 2006, 10:43

Good luck to the lad but I doubt he has what it takes to make a serious impression on any level other than the domestic. Hennessy doing a great job by their boys again.

Oscar Hall was boxing his ears off until he totally collapsed and Laws was lucky to come through the one before that. Nigel Wright would dismantle him.

He gives it his all though and I'll be rooting for him.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 06 Jan 2006, 12:22

I've always rated Daws since his junior amateur days and when he impressively dismantled Ben Hudson in only his 2nd pro fight that convinced me he would become British champion. 8)

I saw a completely different fight to the one which Daws was supposedly lucky to win. Lenny got a terrible piece of bad luck in picking up a nasty cut very early on in the Hall fight, but he showed a cool head and didn't panic and just kept maintaining a pressure that Oscar was never going to stay with for 10 rounds...and it was Hall who had the experience of doing the ten rounds previously. It was Daws first 10 rounder.

Daws fitness and sounds basic skills alone will account for many an opponent to come. Just ask Robert McCracken, whilst he maybe be somewhat biased he should be listened to when he reckons Daws could be one of the fittest boxers in Britain.

chado · Post by **chado** » 06 Jan 2006, 20:08

THEBUTCH wrote:and when he impressively dismantled Ben Hudson in only his 2nd pro fight that convinced me he would become British champion. 8)

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 07 Jan 2006, 06:41

THEBUTCH wrote:I've always rated Daws since his junior amateur days and when he impressively dismantled Ben Hudson in only his 2nd pro fight that convinced me he would become British champion. 8)

I saw a completely different fight to the one which Daws was supposedly lucky to win. Lenny got a terrible piece of bad luck in picking up a nasty cut very early on in the Hall fight, but he showed a cool head and didn't panic and just kept maintaining a pressure that Oscar was never going to stay with for 10 rounds...and it was Hall who had the experience of doing the ten rounds previously. It was Daws first 10 rounder.

Daws fitness and sounds basic skills alone will account for many an opponent to come. Just ask Robert McCracken, whilst he maybe be somewhat biased he should be listened to when he reckons Daws could be one of the fittest boxers in Britain.

I think you are being very kind, Butch but there's nothing wrong with that! You are right about his fitness and sound boxing skills - and that's what won him the fight against Hall - it wasn't that he didn't panic but rather he didn't know what to do so just kept plodding along.

Hall wasn't fit enough but I think you are being far too generous in saying Daws knew he couldn't maintain that pace. He just got lucky that Hall blew up. Even if Hall had the legs to run away for the last part of the contest he'd have won.

ILikeBeer · Post by **ILikeBeer** » 07 Jan 2006, 07:55

He's a local lad to me, I wish him luck.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 Jan 2006, 10:25

Not seen Daws for a while now, but remember being impressed in what I saw of him earlier in his career.

ILikeBeer · Post by **ILikeBeer** » 07 Jan 2006, 12:12

Anybody know where you can get tickets to see that?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Jan 2006, 14:12

ILikeBeer wrote:Anybody know where you can get tickets to see that?

tickets on 07790 776 965.

ILikeBeer · Post by **ILikeBeer** » 07 Jan 2006, 18:35

Cheers mate.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 09 Jan 2006, 09:07

I think we'll have to go down the "agree to disagree" route, Ian McNeilly.

I would say that Daws does lack flair and acceleration in the ring and that may well hinder him progressing past British title class, we'll see. But I totally stand by my assessment of the Daws-Hall contest.

Yes, Hall should have kept moving and grabbing BUT he wasn't able to and Lenny was going to keep increasing the pressure and making things harder and harder for Oscar. They both knew that, in my opinion, and Hall opted for to bail out rather than get stopped a few rounds later. I think he made a wise decision, because the fatigue would have been considerable and Daws doesn't stop digging in hard shots up and down.

Hall had the experience and a home crowd to lift him for the hard slog ahead but I believe with that experience of his he knew Daws was going to get him and probably start inflicting knock downs and one sided rounds to peg back the points. It was a ten round fight and has to judged as such. I see it as Daws knocked the fight out of Oscar, not Hall running out of steam if you get my drift.

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 11 Jan 2006, 12:07

fight is off, hear he is fighting lynes