RHODES: I’LL BOUNCE BACK FROM DEFEAT
Westway boxer vows to return stronger after stoppage loss against West
George Rhodes Jnr has vowed to bounce back in style after suffering a devastating stoppage defeat at the hands of Dan West on Saturday. Rhodes lost his unbeaten record after being dropped in the first and sixth rounds, the referee waving the fight off after his second knockdown.
The Westway-based welterweight vowed to return stronger than ever.
“A few people have asked me if that’s me done in boxing,” said Rhodes Jnr.
“It’s an easy answer, no. I live, breath and bleed boxing and I wouldn’t even have to think twice about boxing again.
“I am really disappointed to have lost my first pro fight, but I will learn from it and come back stronger than ever.
“As soon as my knee is right I will be back in the gym, looking at what went wrong and then looking to get back in the ring.
“There’s another show in York in July and I am already aiming to be back in action on that show.”
George Rhodes Jnr lost his unbeaten record in devastating fashion at the Energise Centre in York against Dan West on Saturday night. After a cagy opening couple of minutes, Rhodes Jnr was floored by a booming overhand right from Sheffield man West.
Rhodes beat the count and finished the round boxing behind his jab.
West started to unload early in the second round and although boxing well behind his jab, Rhodes Jnr always looked vulnerable to big the shots of West and his legs were buckled again midway through the round.
West was relying on his power, while Rhodes Jnr continued to box well, throwing combinations to head and body, and by the end of the third West was looking tired and the Scarborough boxer was starting to dominate.
In the fourth round Rhodes Jnr started to trade more, but West was getting the better of the exchanges, with West still relying on his power.
Rhodes Jnr continued to dominate in the fifth, roared on by his vociferous following, though he was wobbled again by a big punch as West chased the stoppage.
As the sixth and final round started, both fighters stood toe-to-toe and unloaded, but unfortunately for the Scarborough man it was West who landed a huge right hand that dropped Rhodes Jnr again.
The Westway man gamely beat the count, but the fight was waved off by the referee and West took the win.