MCGANN WINS

And chases the English title, writes Simon Euan-smith from ringside

BETHNAL GREEN

APRIL 1

★★★★★ WHOLE SHOW

★★★★★ ATMOSPHERE

LIVERPOOL’S popular Jack Mcgann took a step closer to an English super-welterweight title shot by halting Slough’s John Brennan in their official eliminator at York Hall.

The scheduled 10-rounder ended in the fourth. Down in the second, Mcgann landed a burst to the head that had Brennan unsteady and holding on. Finally he went down, and took referee Kieran Mccann’s count on one knee – he lost his gumshield, and was bleeding from the nose. On resumption Mcgann opened up, and a combination to the head dropped Brennan again – and Mr Mccann promptly waved it off after 1-20. Brennan was given oxygen in the corner.

Sam Gilley is due to defend his English title in the same ring next week (April 15) – and Mcgann will be targeting the winner.

Mcgann had a decent opener, landing two good rights to the body and a burst to the head. But each time Brennan came back, and continued to do so in the second as Mcgann attacked.

Then Brennan rallied and Mcgann was forced against the ropes and grabbed for safety. There was a big exchange in Mcgann’s corner, and finally a right put Mcgann down on his backside. He took the full eight-count – Brennan came steaming in, but the bell rang.

Brennan opened up in the third, forcing Mcgann to cover up – but Mcgann finally got on his bike and started working the jab. It looked like anyone’s fight – until Mcgann found the finishing punches in the fourth.

Jordan Dujon (Barnet) outscored Acton’s Kingsley “Obi” Egbunike in a six-rounder handled by triallist referee Sean Mcavoy, Mark Bates scoring 58-56.

I thought Egbunike unlucky – his work was more eye-catching, and he hurt Dujon several times with rights to the head. But Dujon always rallied, and there were some good exchanges.

Neilson Boxing promoted.