THIRD TIME UNLUCKY
John Evans sees Botham lose out again in an Area title tilt, this time against Brogan
THE atmospheric Liverpool Olympia has been missed during its three-year absence from the Northern circuit. Thankfully, the owners of the famous building decided to spruce up the changing facilities and wave a paintbrush at the old theatre, and Steve Wood’s VIP Promotions returned with Area title action. They even turned the heating on for the occasion.
It was clear from the opening moments of their 10-rounder for the vacant Central Area lightweight crown that Steve Brogan had his hands full with Brad Botham – a much better boxer than his ‘win some, lose some’ record suggests.
Despite blood pouring from a nose injury he suffered in the first round, Botham refused to take a backwards step throughout. Brogan scored well and dictated the pace when he was able to keep his West Melton opponent at range and walk him on to shots, but struggled whenever the Yorkshireman was able to get close and work away inside.
It was a hard-fought battle which ebbed and flowed, but when Brogan lost a point for holding in the eighth round, the momentum was with Botham. It seemed like his early body attacks had paid dividends. With the fight – and his career – in the balance, Skelmersdale’s Brogan dug in and managed to find himself an extra few inches of space. He began to switch between the orthodox and southpaw stances more regularly, and his superior boxing clinched the final couple of rounds. After an entertaining contest, Brogan earned a 96-95 victory on referee Mark Lyson’s scorecard.
For the third time in his short career, Botham fell just short in a bid for an Area belt, but Brogan’s dream of winning major domestic honours lives on.
Tom Farrell recorded his third win of the year by stopping Teodor Nikolov in a scheduled six-rounder. Not known as a heavy puncher, the Liverpudlian seemed to hurt Nikolov every time he landed, the right uppercut working particularly well. He dropped Nikolov twice in the opener and by the fourth the Bulgarian had had enough. He lost a point for holding before referee Darren Sarginson counted him out on his feet after a heavy right hand. The time was 1-13.
Luke Willis made his first appearance in nearly 10 months and dominated Des Newton. The southpaw from Liverpool instantly found an avenue for his straight left hand and was simply too fast for Bere Alston’s Newton. After an accidental clash of heads opened up a nasty gash on his forehead, Newton was dropped in the third. It was one-way traffic throughout and Mr Sarginson’s score of 80-71 in Willis’ favour was a formality.
Brett Fidoe scored an upset by outpointing Liverpool’s Marcel Braithwaite. Fidoe was too active and organised on the inside, and took advantage of an uncharacteristically sluggish Braithwaite. Over the course of his past six fights, Fidoe has taken three unbeaten records and registered a draw. Referee Sarginson scored the contest 59-56 for the Evesham man.
Danny Roberts brought good support across from the Isle of Man and landed enough clean shots to eke out a 39-38 victory over Duane Green
from Norwich, while Liverpool’s Nathan Quarless was made to think by Jiri Svacina. Quarless boxed well and will have learned plenty during his 40-37 win over the Czech visitor. Mr Lyson refereed both encounters.
Liverpool’s powerful Jay Farrell was more patient than usual, but opened up in the third of a scheduled four. The Czech Republic’s Petr Frohlich couldn’t live with the change in tempo and a suspiciously low punch, followed by a left hook, spelled the end for the import. Mr Sarginson jumped in at 1-05.
The same referee also oversaw Tom Mcguiness’ comfortable points win over Stockport’s Jamie Quinn. The score was 60-54 for the Liverpudlian.
Two other locals secured four-round victories. When Nathan Bennett
listened to his corner and threw in combination, he had success against Chatham’s Ricky Rose and earned a 40-36 decision.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Campbell ground out a 39-38 triumph over Jordan Grannum from Islington. Mr Lyson officiated both contests.
THE VERDICT Brogan finishes well to claim a vital victory, and the Central Area lightweight title.