THE DESTROYER
Newton halts 50-fight veteran Harris in the fifth round
PLYMOUTH’S Des Newton delighted his local fans as he floored Gloucester’s
Andy Harris twice to force the evening’s referee Lee Cook to rescue the 50-fight journeyman at 2-30 of the fifth in a scheduled eight-rounder at the Guildhall.
Newton closed in on Harris from the off and had Andy down for counts in both the second and fourth rounds. Des capitalised on Harris’ wide and open work to land with draining counter shots. The end came as Andy was unable to get off the ropes and Des kept the leather flying until referee Cook made a well-timed intervention.
Darren Townley, also from Plymouth, was given a good workout by Melksham’s
Liam Richards over six. Darren was forced to eat some lovely right hands on his way in by the Wiltshire man, but pulled his boxing together over the latter half of the fight. Cook tallied 59-56 in Townley’s favour.
There were two contests which were scored shutouts over four. Firstly, Newquay’s Brad Pauls worked in bursts, and looked both measured and explosive in besting Tidworth’s Rob Brown. Secondly, Launceston’s Wes Smith trumped tough-as-nails Lithuanian
Andrej Cepur. Smith shot out spirited salvoes in an attempt to make a dent in the visitor, but the Eastern European was never in any trouble.
Another fighter from Launceston,
Jordan Platt, was given a tough time on his debut by Worcester’s “Mad Man”
Michael Mooney. The first-timer had to cope with significant pressure from the fiery Mooney, but he was able to catch him as he closed the gap. Both connected with their share of punches in an exciting contest. The four-rounder was scored a slightly too wide 40-37 in Platt’s favour.
Plymouth’s Louis Aitken also got his paid career off to a successful start over the same duration as he took a razor-thin 39-38 verdict over Nuneaton’s doublecenturion Kristian Laight. “Mr Reliable” had his moments, but Aitken managed to get underneath the incoming jabs to land his own work.
THE VERDICT Onwards and upwards for unbeaten Newton.