TALLY REACHES 285
The losses pile up for the beaten fighters, writes Gareth Jones from ringside
FIVE prospects extended their 100 per cent records and two others made winning starts in the pro game. Conversely, seven out-of-towners took their combined tally of losses to 285.
The inevitable fight-week pull-outs did not help promoter Mo Prior, who did well to be at the Vale Sports Arena a few days after a hip replacement. The bill’s planned pair of six-threes had to be cut to fourrounders as the substitute opponents were restricted to that distance by the Board. And some of the bouts were surprisingly competitive.
One of the late additions, Rochdale trier Richard Helm, has not been around long enough to fully accept his journeyman status and gave “Rhoose Rhino” Jay Munn all he could handle. The popular Munn, his fellow Cardiff City fans belting out the Wales football anthem Yma o Hyd as he entered the ring, looked sluggish – he had been unwell in the previous week – although his more accurate work saw him through 39-38 for referee Chris Jones.
Even talented Tiryberth southpaw
Kyran Jones had to weather a thirdround storm from Mexican Fernando Valencia before reclaiming control and taking a 40-36 verdict from third man Reece Carter. The lanky Welshman has the skills to move into contention for titles next season.
Another tall lefty, Cardiffian JJ Evans, reappeared after three years to face Costa Rican Berman Sánchez, but the lay-off showed as he tired and dropped the last round on Mr Jones’ 39-37 card.
Caerphilly’s Ted Barnaby dominated unambitious Kent visitor Ricky Leach to win 40-36 (Mr Carter), while Trowbridge feather Callum Lee decked Romanian
Stefan Nicolae briefly in the second to earn a 40-35 return from Mr Jones.
Two local ex-amateurs, both southpaws, faced differing challenges.
Rashid Omar, whose last action saw him win a silver at the African championships for his ancestral homeland of Somalia, forced an increasingly shopworn Naeem Ali to take a knee in round two, Mr Jones scoring it 40-35.
Former Welsh ABA champion Kane Shepherd had sterner opposition in Nicaraguan Brayan Mairena, who sneaked a share of the last in Mr Carter’s 40-37 tally, but that gave ‘Kano’ more chance to reveal his undoubted ability.