IT’S OVER
Hobbs announces his retirement after losing a scrappy encounter
THOSE who were disappointed at missing the English light-heavyweight title clash between holder Liam Conroy of Barrow and challenger Chris Hobbs of Southampton, when the proposed show at Chorley a week earlier was shelved, can probably count their blessings as the rearranged meeting, at The Venue in Edgbaston was far from being one for the connoisseur. Conroy eventually triumphed over the serving soldier at 2-55 of the ninth round.
Referee Terry O’connor certainly had his work cut out, issuing countless warnings to the pair - Conroy for his rough-house tactics and Hobbs, increasingly frustrated after suffering an early cut by the left eye, for pushing.
Wrestling and holding aside, things remained close as the end approached but it was Conroy, ahead on two cards, who was upping the pace and Hobbs, obviously struggling with his left shoulder which appeared to have dislocated and having just been docked a point for holding, was under heavy fire in his own corner as Mr O’connor stepped in. Redundant judges were Shaun Messer, Kevin Parker and Dave Parris.
Coventry light-heavy Dilbag “Dilly” Singh who secured his first inside-the-distance victory at this same venue last time out, never had to go through the gears in a six against reluctant to engage Jiri Svacina, a pacifist Czech whose best form of defence was by leaning way back over the top rope. Referee Mr Parker had little need to check his card.
A watchable four between tattooed Birmingham novice Matt Sen and Ilkeston’s Russ Henshaw saw the former triumph, third man Parker scoring 39-38.
The two remaining four-rounders, both decent, resulted in 39-37 victories for the home boxers: Debutant Mussab Abubaker, a dessert shop owner with a more than healthy following, bested Driffield’s Danny Little who was counted after touching down in the second; and Tividale’s Stewart Davies improving with each round, ensured that Brierley Hill’s game MJ Hall was left still searching for his first paid win.
THE VERDICT Chris thought an errant elbow was the cause of his cut but he was eventually ruled out, unable to properly defend himself, due to a dislocated shoulder.