Joe Tonks just about managed to overcome Kristian Laight by way of a points decision in their four round light-welterweight contest in Liverpool on Friday night.
Tonks, now 4-2 got the nod with a score of 39-38, much to the displeasure of Laight who felt he had done enough to clinch the fight - and maybe he had a point too. The Warwickshire journeyman who has only recorded six wins from a staggering 126 bouts started the fight well, making the Liverpool fighter work hard but it wasn t long until 25 year-old Tonks found his rhythm.
Early in the second, Laight caught Tonkswith a decent shot but for as much as the 31 year-old was coming forward and bringing the fight to Tonks, there wasn t any power behind his shots to match his work rate. By round three, Laight was starting to tire, allowing Tonks to come forward more but to the surprise for Tonks, he found himself stumbling after being caught with a good left.
The crowd were very much behind their man Tonks and cheered him on his way to victory.A victory which will come as a huge confidence booster.
Lyndon Newman and Steve Spence s epic battle finished as a draw in what was a explosive contest right from the first bell. It looked as though Newman was going to live up to his alias Lights Out with an early finish on Scunthorpe fighter Spence as he dominated the start of the fight with his brawling style, not allowing Spence a second s breathing space.
In the second, the tables had turned as it was now Spence doing to Newman what the Stockport man had done to him in the first but Newman fought back, refusing to be matched with his own style. Newman, who despite fighting out of his home town had a tremendous support from his fans that had made the journey from the other end of the M62 to Liverpool.
By round three, Newman changed his usual beastly brawling style to a cleverer boxing one which brought the fight tempo down slightly but as the fourth and final round arrived, both fighters went hell for leather with Newman finishing strongly, but a warrior-like performance from Spence earned him a well deserved draw.
Young Tommy Carus continued his impressive start to his professional career with a points victory over Robin Deakin. It was only the 19 year-old's second outing since moving up from the amateur ranks and it was a job well done from the Scouse southpaw who looked focused throughout. Deakin on the other hand was the opposite, his dancing skills were more impressive than his punching skills as he failed to make an impact on the fight and teach the rookie a lesson.
Right from the off Rockin Robin was looking to put on a show, but sadly for boxing fans, not a boxing one.He mocked Carus by putting out his tongue in a gesture to suggest his shots were not hurting him, but Deakin failed to give anything back.
The fight from then on remained the same throughout. Carus was looking to put on a boxing show for the fans, finding his way through with some good shots to Deakin s face, and Deakin continued to put on a dancing show. Carus won the fight with a score of 40-36 in what was a professional performance from the youngster. As for Deakin, who has only won once from his previous 44 bouts, auditions for Strictly Come Dancing must be starting sometime soon.
Wirral s Paul Butler impressed in his first ever eight round fight after emphatically beating Bristol s Michael Ramabeletsa. The Baby Faced Assassin s lightning fast jab proved too much for Ramabeletsa who was called in as a late replacement to fight Butler as he took the fight with a score of 80-72.
The 23 year-old boxed brilliantly throughout, delivering a wide range of shots to show what a class act he is. However, although the fight was dominated by Butler, Ramabeletsa refused to give in and proved to be a tough cookie, staying on his feet despite shots continuingly reigning in on him that left him on the ropes, but managed to see out all eight rounds. Victory for Butler now takes his unbeaten record up to 6-0 and is a step closer to putting him in contention for a title fight.This year could be a huge year for the super-fly weight prospect.
Liverpool s Joe Selkirk unbeaten record remains intact after stopping Ryan Toms within five rounds of their scheduled eight round light welterweight contest.It wasn t all plain sailing for 26 year-old Selkirk who is regarded as a huge prospect on Merseyside, with many of the city s fighters speaking highly of him. He struggled in the opening stages of the fight, making a slow and cautious start and appearing to look a little disinterested. As the crowd began to cheer him on, Selkirk stepped up a gear and began to show glimpses of class but also left himself open to shots from Toms whose style left Selkirk frustrated.
As the fighters entered the fifth, Selkirk began to show more aggression, peppering Toms with some good shots, but again, Selkirk was exposed to a good shot from the Middlesex man, taking it well. The fight was stopped 2 minutes 11 seconds into the fifth after the referee deemed Toms in no position to continue after suffering bad damage to his right eye. In the end, it was an impressive finish for Selkirk, but he must improve and find the heart and desire if he is to live up to his true potential.
Jason Ball stopped Steve Harkin to clinch the vacant British Masters and Central Area championship title. Ball (5-5-1) who was very much the underdog going into the fight, put on an impressive display in what was a very exciting fight. It was Harkin who started off the brighter of the two, landing some good body shots but by round three the Liverpool fighter was left stumbling after Ball landed a good right.
From then on the fight turned into a great battle as both men went all out to be crowned the new champion, exchanging punches at will, but Ball, nicknamed Daddy Cool lived up to that name as he calmly picked his shots and got his rewards when a great combination hurt Harkin, forcing his legs to stiffen, ultimately hitting the canvas. Although bravely making it back to his feet on the count of eight, referee Phil Edwards put an end to the fight, deeming a cut and swollen Harkin unfit to continue.
1/29/2012
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