MERTHYR MISMATCH
Dixon claims Welsh Area title, but Jones not worthy of opportunity
TALENTED Tony Dixon needed just 1-49 to claim the vacant Welsh Area super-welter throne at a passion-filled Rhydycar Leisure Centre. But questions have to be asked about the presence of Wrexham novice Mike Jones in the opposite corner.
With TV channel S4C keen for a Welsh title bout to introduce a new fight series, Jones was sanctioned, despite a limited amateur career and a mere four four-rounders as a pro, of which he lost the first two. Mountain Ash’s Dixon wasted no time before a big right dropped the North Walian in a neutral corner. He was down twice more, the last face-first, referee Martin Williams waving the end as he fell.
There was controversy when referee Reece Carter ruled that popular Aberdare heavyweight Dorian Darch had lost a mauling eight-threes to a surprised Chris Healey. The 78-75 scoreline seemed reasonable – just the wrong way round! In fairness, it was not an easy bout to score, but Darch seemed to outwork the Stockport trier before fading in the last two sessions.
Gavin Gwynne, from nearby Treharris, eased through his first six-threes, earning a 60-54 whitewash from Mr Carter over another Stockport man, Jamie Quinn.
The rest were four-threes, with Cardiff ’s JJ Evans negotiating his toughest test yet in wily William Warburton. Keeping matters at range, bearded southpaw Evans handled the Atherton man well, Mr Williams scoring 40-38.
Penygraig’s Stuart Brewer,
back four years after a winning debut, floored same-day sub Jack Green, from Newton Abbot, in the last to win 40-35 for Mr Carter, while Swansea’s Kristian Touze
had to work for Mr Williams’ 40-37 against Torquay first-timer Adam Bannister. Another debutant, Phillipstown’s former junior ace Ricky Rowlands,
enjoyed himself against durable Derry-born Paul Cummings,
Mr Carter scoring it 40-36.
THE VERDICT Dixon was impressive, but should Jones have been in with him?