EKOW BEATS KEATES
a division bigger than Eastbourne’s tough-but-winless Scott Hillman, who found himself on the recieving end of regular bursts upstairs, along with several weighty rights for good measure. This one finished 40-36 to the debutant.
Bulwell’s Ringham was also the recipient of a 40-36 win at the culmination of his bout against Lydney’s busy Lewis van Poetsch. The loser replied with enough to keep it entertaining.
Stapleford’s Nathan Kirk ticked over by outscoring Blackburn’s Naheem Chaudhry 40-37, though he did pick up a little nick below the right eye. Having had a look in the opener and after mixing things up nicely in the second, Kirk, while still on top, was tagged by a couple of hefty hooks late on – Chaudhry just letting him know that he was still there.
Of the three remaining bouts, one finished 40-36 and two 40-35. The 40-36 came in a one-sided tussle between Clifton new-starter Ryan Amos – who had his long hair taped back – and Hyde’s taller Dale Arrowsmith. Amos was in charge from the outset.
Local lad Paul Thompson banked victory number two against Dewsbury veteran Youssef Al Hamidi. Having visited the canvas midway through the last of a contest marred by a succession of head clashes, Al Hamidi finished an angry man and had a word or two to say to referee Dean at the finish.
Bestwood’s Delmar Thomas won in next to no time on his pro bow last month, but was forced to settle for a distance win here against Bradford debutant Jake Pollard. Outboxed by some margin and sent to one knee in the second by a chopping left, Pollard did well to see it out, grabbing when the opportunity arose to eat up a little time.
THE VERDICT An exciting bill-topper but scope for improvement with the matching of the undercard boxers, many of whom, admittedly, were novices on this occasion.