SPOILSPORT
Edagha’s spoiling tactics cannot prevent him from suffering another loss
A SHOW at the Kings Hall, on the verge of being cancelled earlier in the week due to problems with potential opponents, finally went ahead as scheduled, with a quartet of contests and an exhibition being served up.
The four-round main event – a bout between Uttoxeter’s popular Josh Groombridge and Southwark-based Italian Victor Edagha – was soured by the visitor’s propensity to hold and spoil whenever the occasion presented itself. This tactic duly earned Edagha the deduction of a point by referee- for-the-night John Latham who, as early as the second round, had already grown tired of handing out warnings.
Tattooed Groombridge, a 40-35 winner at the finish, might have had a modicum more success had he taken a step back at times in an attempt to evade the clutches of the as-yet-winless Edagha, but he ultimately finished frustrated despite maintaining his 100 per cent record.
Killamarsh’s ever-watchable Lee Connelly, who almost always finds himself in the away corner, bagged himself a rare victory by the narrowest of margins. Mr Latham’s card read 58-57 at the conclusion of a six-twos against Nuneaton’s Kristian Laight. Lee’s better workrate won out against an opponent punching for pay for the 273rd time.
Hanley first-timer Jamal Le Doux faced a tough baptism over four against Middleton’s shavenheaded Central Area middleweight champ Darryl Sharp, but he came through unscathed at the finish of a good little scrap and recorded a 40-36 debut win.
Newcastle-under-lyme’s Rhasian Earlington finished a 40-35 winner against 11th-hour sub Elvis Dube, the outclassed Derby man being floored in a neutral corner very late in the opener by a chopping right.
A four-twos exhibition between Stoke’s Chris Nixon and one-bout Birmingham novice Jarrett Doherty – a good deal feistier than is usually the case – had opened the show and was received well by the assembled Potteries fight fans.
THE VERDICT A couple of gritty undercard bouts make up for a disappointing bill-topper.