BoxRec

Chris McDonagh just outpointed Anthony Hanna in a four-rounder in the first fight of a 10-fight bill.

Anthony Small just made a successful pro debut with a first-round stoppage of Lance Hall.

is Antony Small the chap who used to box for fitzroy lodge??

Jab master wrote:is Antony Small the chap who used to box for fitzroy lodge??

Yes.

Ididnt realise he was going pro,i think the pro game will suit him better than the amateurs

Jab master wrote:Ididnt realise he was going pro,i think the pro game will suit him better than the amateurs

SecondsOut heralded his switch recently:

At the same time former amateur star David Haye announced the sternest test of his professional career against former IBF cruiserweight champion Arthur Williams in Reading next week, another product of Lambeth's storied Fitzroy Lodge gym announced his decision to turn professional with Fight Academy.

Former London rep Anthony Small is the owner of a flashy, hands-down style that did little to ingratiate him to the amateur boxing establishment, but he has the mix of showmanship, reflexes and natural talent to suggest he may excel as a professional welterweight.

The likeable Small, who wears a 'Scream' mask into the ring, hopes to be cleared by the British Boxing Board of Control in time for his professional debut at the Rivermead Leisure Centre on May 12. Once that routine appointment is out of the way, the Londoner can't wait to inject some fun and personality into the 147lbs division.

"I want to breathe some fresh air into boxing, not just British boxing, but the sport as a whole," said Small, whose style and talents, like Naseem Hamed before him, were poorly received in the amateur ranks.

"I suffered dodgy decisions in the amateurs on a regular basis. With the skill I've got, I should have at least been up at Crystal Palace training with the national squad. It broke my heart at the time. (The lack of recognition) could have disheartened me, but I'm looking for more success as a pro.

"I'm not a major star yet, but I'd like to steal a bit of limelight. A few years previously, I boxed a guy and got a graze on my lip and the fight was stopped in the first round. Yet when I boxed Sam Webb last time, he got a gash in the middle of his lip that required three stitches. Blood was everywhere and they let the fight continue. No-one stopped the fight. These are the kind of things I came across in my amateur career."

Fight Academy promoter Robert Waterman certainly believes Small can fulfil his potential in the pro game.

"I think very highly of Anthony," said Waterman. "From a marketing perspective, he's a promoter's dream and we need characters in this business. It's exciting to be working with guys like him who can open up the corporate sector in boxing, sponsorship and interest from the corporate world, which is something the sport is missing out on at the present time."

Only time will tell if Small makes the grade, but it should be fun while it lasts.

Chesterfield heavyweight Mark Krence stopped Colin Kenna after three rounds. Kenna retired with an arm injury, but Krence had been on top.
Esham Pickering's European title defence is just about to start.

Pickering won in the eighth round. Martin quit with an injured arm, turned his back on the champion (much as Gigliotti quit when Pickering won the title in January). Esham seems to be sickening these guys.

Haye's in the ring. It's round two and he's trying to chin Williams, but the American is still there.

Haye wins in the third. Former IBF champ Williams is stopped on his feet. He didn't put his man down - but what a bloody good win for Haye!

Fantastic news! I'll be sure to watch the highlights in a bit on BBC 1.

bennie wrote:Haye wins in the third. Former IBF champ Williams is stopped on his feet. He didn't go down, but what a bloody good win for Haye!

wow :P thats mighty impressive to stop williams in the 3rd

Makes me eager to watch these highlights even more so now after reading Adam's interview where DH said he was looking to go the distance. Somehow he stops Williams in the 3rd!

Good evening at Reading. Interested what the boys think when they have seen the Haye fight. He looked great but I am still unsure about that rolling shoulder style he uses.

BTW - if Esham's opponent had hurt his arm/elbow so badly, I wonder why I saw him in the kebab van outside the Rivermead using both hands to eat his 'bab

Big ups to David Haye, man thinks like me.

yeah haye's chin is still out to dry isn't it for all his talent u just get the feeling the better guys will punch his lights out

however there r also a lot of positives that power could take any1 out and he has a very good jab (when he uses it ).

british boxing needs the likes of haye though he's a big talent who could go a long way.

Head movement was good from Haye, still needs to get his chin tucked in though. I was impressed, didn't expect him to dominate so easily.

I know what some of you mean. He is very confident in his attack and can often leave his defence (and his chin) all over the place. If a big hitter got half a chance to smack him on the chin then it would be a disaster.

On another note, Haye does genuinely look better and better in every fight.

He did well.

The guy WAS a bum mind you. I don't care about his name, I would've beat him tonight (and I ain't jestin you either). He was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over the hill.

He looked more useful than Francis was against Harrison the other night!

I don't care, what I said still stands. The guy was an old man, simple as.

A positive way to look at it is that opponent was still a step up from the journeymen he'd previously fought. Be interesting to see who he fights next though.

Hmm.

You're "right" but it was only a mild step up. Anyway I'm glad he won, I want him to do well. How come he doesn't get the promotion ike Carl Froch ay? I've got my ideas but I don't think they'll go down well on here.

Regardless of Froch's 'talent' I cringe like mad when I see those BBC adverts. "The Cobra", special powers, bitten by a cobra, super human skills. PLEASE STOP!

By the look on Williams face, after Haye's early pressure i'm think he knew he had made a mistake coming over. Good speed, power and head movement from Haye and you could tell he was well focused.
Much better prospect than Froch. Best in Europe at the moment don't you know