WRECKING BALL
Elliot Foster sees Danny shock local hope Cartwright
ELLESMERE PORT OCTOBER 19 ★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★ ATMOSPHERE
DANNY BALL captured a title (of sorts) with a stoppage win in his opponent’s backyard. The West Midlander headed to the Sports Village to face local Mason Cartwright, with the vacant WBC International Silver welter strap at stake.
Ball’s clash with Cartwright came on a show promoted by Steve Wood and was streamed exclusively live on VIP Boxing TV.
Referee Mark Lyson was forced to call a halt to proceedings at 2-05 of the third round after “Nutty” was caught by 23-yearold Ball with an uppercut followed by a barrage and failed to recover.
It meant Cartwright suffered his second defeat as a pro after losing to Darren Tetley back in May 2018.
Meanwhile, Sean Dodd warmed up for his showdown against Tom Farrell next month with a straightforward win.
The Birkenhead man, who was on a three-fight losing streak heading in, took on Reading’s Ibrar Riyaz over six rounds and came out on top with a 60-54 verdict on John Latham’s scorecard. He successfully lined up his November 23 clash with Farrell, who won just two weeks ago, at the M&S Bank Arena, as part of the supporting cast to Callum Smith’s WBA super-middleweight title defence against John Ryder.
Heavyweight Kamil Sokolowski got another win before entering the Ultimate Boxxer VI tournament before the end of the year.
The Barnstaple-based Pole went into his fight against Swindon’s Phil Williams on the back of a shock victory over undefeated Alex Dickinson in June and left the ring with a 60-54 decision on Latham’s card.
Former Muay Thai fighter Jake Barton, from Southport, had his first boxing outing in 16 months and outpointed Rochdale’s Andy Bishop 40-36 for Latham.
The same official also refereed the return, after a year out, of Ellesmere Port man Matty Fagan, handing him an 80-71 win after eight rounds against Canning Town’s Lee Hallett.
THE VERDICT Ball upsets Cartwright as two prospects get careers back on track.