RENDA WINS A THRILLER
Cello knocks out Mckenzie, who subsequently retires
THE Goodwin promotion at York Hall was billed as ‘Heaven or Hell’ – and it was heaven for Peterborough’s Cello Renda, who KO’D Croydon’s Leon Mckenzie in nine pulsating rounds to win the vacant Southern Area super-middleweight title.
The finish was dramatic, but worrying. Trapped on the ropes, Mckenzie took a burst to the head and crashed down on his back, not moving as referee Lee Cook counted him out after 29 seconds. Mckenzie needed treatment, including oxygen, in the ring – he left unaided, but went to hospital as a precaution, later announcing his retirement. Both bled heavily from the nose.
Southpaw Mckenzie started fast, a right sending Renda into the ropes. Mckenzie followed up, but Renda hit back – and there was a good exchange as the round ended. The action continued for the next two sessions. Mckenzie flicked out jabs, but Renda’s work looked more solid. Both were warned for headwork in an all-action third, which ended with Renda taking stick on the ropes.
Understandably, the pace dropped over the next three, with both trying to jab at long range and missing frequently. Mckenzie finished the fourth with a bump under the left eye.
Mckenzie began the seventh with two left hooks – he couldn’t stop Renda’s advance, but was landing as he came in. But Renda opened up with a burst to the head as the round ended, and now there was the feeling that perhaps Cello’s extra strength might prevail. Mckenzie spent long periods on the ropes in the eighth, but covered up and hit back when he could – and Renda in turn was forced against the strands, and held. But a big right from Mckenzie didn’t worry Renda, and the round ended with Mckenzie on the ropes – and at the start of the ninth Mckenzie’s tank suddenly ran dry.
There was an upset in the other scheduled 10-rounder, with former Renda victim Liam Conroy (Barrow-in-furness) flooring and halting defending champion
Joel Mcintyre in two rounds to become English light-heavyweight kingpin.
A right to the side of the head dropped Mcintyre (Portsmouth) spectacularly in the first, though he was up quickly. A follow-up attack had Mcintyre holding on, and a right sent him crashing into the ropes – referee Terry O’connor correctly counted to ‘eight’.
Conroy kept up the attack in the second. Mcintyre held, tried to turn southpaw – but the champion was forced against the ropes, and an unanswered burst to the head caused Mr O’connor to wave it off after 1-20.
Reigning Southern Area middleweight champion Grant Dennis (Chatham) took a 60-54 verdict from referee Kieran Mccann against Poland’s Daniel Urbanski. Urbanski could never match Dennis’ workrate.
Luton’s Kay Prospere eased back after a 10-month break, defeating Plymouth survivor Chris Adaway. Prospere did all the positive work, while Adaway used all his tricks. Triallist referee Mark Bates officiated, and Mr Cook scored it 60-54.
Seven four-rounders completed the bill. Harjeet Singh (Ilford) halted Croatia’s Toni Bilic after 1-45 of the second. A right clip had Bilic down in the first, and in the second he was floored by a heavy right. Both times he was up quickly, but then a right to the chin dropped him for ‘four’. Mr Cook completed the eight-count, then signalled the finish.
Walthamstow’s Sam Gilley stopped Croatian Silvije Kebet after 45 seconds of the third. A right and follow-up burst to the head had Kebet down in the second. He was up at ‘six’, and the bell rang – but Kebet was quickly in trouble in the third, and referee Bates waved it off.
Wembley debutant Youssef Khoumari halted Gloucester’s Andy Harris after 2-38 of the fourth. Harris was cut by the left eyebrow in the second, and taking punishment when referee Chas Coakley intervened.
Loughton’s Daniel Khan stopped Croatian Anto Navic after 2-50 of the second. Navic was taking shots on the ropes and finally crumbled over on one knee, prompting referee Coakley to wave it off.
Debutant Jack Newham (Hayes) cut Bulgaria’s Teodor Nikolov on the left eyebrow and took a 39-37 verdict from Mr Mccann (Bates refereed).
Ruislip’s Sean Robinson took referee Coakley’s 40-36 verdict over Bulgarian Aleksandar Chukaleyski, who bled freely from the nose.
Anesu Twala (Lewisham) outscored Nuneaton’s Kristian Laight, referee Mccann tallying 40-37.
THE VERDICT Renda-mckenzie is a contender for British Fight of the Year.