STAR IN THE MAKING
Lewis Crocker shows why he can become the latest darling of Belfast boxng, writes Joe O’neil
BELFAST NOVEMBER 5 ★★★★★ MAIN EVENT ★★★★★ UNDERCARD ★★★★★ ATMOSPHERE
LOCAL lad Lewis Crocker staked his claim to be Belfast’s next big star with a maiden headline win at the Ulster Hall on Friday night. Topping the Lee Eaton-promoted Conlan Boxing card at the famous old venue, the Sandy Row welterweight stopped Armenian Artem
Haroyan inside seven to show that there is life after Frampton for Belfast boxing.
The heavy-handed prospect gradually ground the game-but-outgunned Haroyan down and closed the show with a big finish. A left hook upstairs from Crocker finally broke the visitor’s resistance in the sixth, leaving Haroyan in the ropes but the wily Spain-based fighter managed to see out the round despite some furious follow-up exchanges. The end was imminent, however, as a regrouped Crocker whipped in a left hook to the body and a spent Haroyan was counted out by referee Howard Foster after 47 seconds of the seventh round.
Afterwards, 24-year-old Crocker spoke of his desire to fight for the British title, currently held by Ekow Essuman, in 2022. Regardless of what route will be plotted, a sell-out night at the Ulster Hall for a new face is cause for encouragement within Belfast boxing following the retirements of Carl Frampton and Ryan Burnett, Mick Conlan’s predominantly American focus, and recent momentum-stalling losses for both Tommy Mccarthy and James Tennyson. Backed by those ‘in the know’ since his early teens, it would appear that things are now starting to click into place for “The Croc”. In the co-feature bout, fan favourite
Padraig Mccrory blasted out Switzerland-based Portuguese puncher Celso Neves in a two-round fire-fight. The St James’ super-middleweight was troubled in the opening round by the aggressive Neves but traded left hooks with the Swiss national champion at the start of the second and put his foe face down on the canvas. Somehow, Neves rose, but he was sent straight back down by Mccrory and referee Ian John Lewis waved off proceedings with just 35 seconds on the clock. At 33 years of age, having spent much of his twenties away from the sport, the lovable Mccrory does not have time on his side, but “The Hammer” does have an equaliser and continues his unlikely and enjoyable climb through the ranks. Nestled in between the two 10-round championship contests was a sensational four-rounder between Navan featherweight Cain Lewis and Spaniard Juan Yin. Lewis was floored twice in the opener, caught square by huge overhand shots before rallying superbly. The Irish teen hurt Yin in the second and boxed well to win the third and fourth rounds to deservedly salvage a 37-37 draw on referee Hugh Russell Jr’s scorecard. Continuing his comeback from his Commonwealth title loss to Gavin Gwynne, Turf Lodge super-lightweight
Sean Mccomb was too long and too strong for Dundee veteran Ronnie Clark. “The Shark” pushed gallantly in this allsouthpaw eight rounder, landing a fair amount of right hands but taking far more in return and Mccomb ran out a 79-74 winner on Mr Russell’s scorecard. Ormeau Road super-featherweight James Mcgivern, fighting up in weight, coasted through six rounds with Russian Rustem Fatkhullin. The southpaw stylist, a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, had far too much class and was deemed a 60-54 winner by referee Eamonn Magill. A more ambitious opponent would perhaps enable ‘The Natural’ to show more of his natural talent. Opening the TV broadcast, Kilbarrack super-welter Paul Ryan needed just 47 seconds of his scheduled four rounds to dispose of solid Spaniard Damian Esquisabel. Putting his opponent down almost instantly with a flurry of bodyshots, Mr Magill halted proceedings following a second knockdown mere seconds later, to hand Ryan an impressive and reassuring win following what was a shaky debut earlier in the year. The bill began with a four-round win for Mitchelstown super-welterweight
Danny Keating. Making his Irish debut having been previously based in Australia, Keating dropped Ashford’s Jack Dempsey Ewbank in the first and largely controlled proceedings. There was a brief scare for Keating when he walked onto a shot in the fourth but he eventually ran out a wide 40-35 winner on Mr Russell’s scorecard.
THE VERDICT Encouraging new beginning for boxing in Belfast.