‘THE CHOSEN ONE’
Promoter Al Siesta invites fighters from all over the world to the Guildhall, writes Will Hale from ringside
BOXERS from 13 different countries competed in Southampton which saw Manchesterbased Dutchman Stephen “The Chosen One” Danyo narrowly capture the vacant WBO European welterweight strap against Kazakh southpaw Alexandr Zhuravskiy via a razor-thin split decision over 10.
Alexandr’s nose bled heavily throughout after being cracked in the opening minute - and by the latter stages the bridge had swollen to a discoloured kink thanks to Danyo’s rapier-like straight right hands. The fight was a classic headache to score. Zhuravskiy’s pressure and combos were initiating the action, but Danyo’s lateral movement and counters were effective and accurate.
Judges Ferenc Budai Jnr and Jeff Hinds scored 96-94 and 97-95 in favour of Danyo, while Dave Parris saw it 96-94 in favour of Zhuravskiy. Phil Edwards refereed.
In the other title fight of the evening Bellshill’s unbeaten Michael Mcgurk won the WBC Youth Silver superwelterweight title in overcoming qualitykazakh Yernar Yeshenov when his 10-rounder was prematurely curtailed in the sixth due to a horrible cut in the corner of his eye. Referee Ian John Lewis ruled that the damage was caused by an accidental butt. The fight went to the scorecards and while Jeff Hinds scored it an even 58-58, both Martin Williams and Kieran Mccann favoured Mccurk’s efforts by 59-56 and 59-55 respectively.
Yeshenov, also a leftie, was a real handful and I had the fight in the balance at the time it was called off. The Kazakh was assertive and although Mccurk fired back well with straight shots, it was clear that Yernar had the potential to make the evening a long and torturous affair for the 23-year-old Scot.
In the first of two six-threes also refereed by John Lewis, Southampton’s
Lucas Ballingall looked impressive and remained undefeated in forcing Georgian
Tornike Tortladze to quit at 2-40 of the fourth. The visitor competed well over the first two and Lucas showed that he has developed patience in drawing the sting and ambition out of Tornike’s work. The end came as a result of a top class right uppercut which floored Tortadze heavily in the fourth. He rose but leaned back on the corner post shaking his head and the bout was correctly halted.
Secondly, Hampshire’s David Birmingham edged tricky Slovakian
Ivan Godor by 58-57. The colourful import, dubbed “Little Dragon”, delivered in volume, but Birmingham had significant success over the first few sessions and scored well with punches downstairs. Godor showed his mettle by finishing the stronger.
In two fights scored by Hinds but officiated by trialist third man Chas Coakley, stocky Swiss road warrior
Yoann Kongolo took a 60-55 six-round verdict over Mountain Ash’s experienced Nathan King. The Welshman’s head movement was just sufficient enough to stay out of trouble over the first half, but Yoann’s fast hands and relative youth allowed him to close the range as the bout progressed. Nathan knew enough to survive, but it was increasingly one-sided over the last two.
Georgian Mikheil Avakyan was retired by his corner after his legs deserted him on taking a huge left hook at 2-22 of the sixth in a scheduled eightthrees against Lithuania-based Congolese Paul Kamanga.
The Georgian had a horrible technique but plenty of heart. He frequently lost his shape but let the shots fly. Overall, the eastern European was always on borrowed time and the corner made a wise and compassionate decision to pull Mikheil out once the big left connected.
Camberley debutant Johnny Phillips
kicked off his paid career with a win as he took a 40-37 verdict over Stockport’s Jamie Quinn over four-threes. Johnny was kept honest and often forced on the retreat by the experienced Quinn. Jamie was never troubled and had his share of success, especially over the first two sessions.
In the first of three fights scored and refereed by Hinds, Southamptonbased South African Luth Mtimkulu
took a 59-55 decision over six-threes over Georgian Nikoloz Gvajava. Luth showcased his talent well at times, going through the gears and using angles to deliver meaty combinations. On occasions, Luth was predictable going for the body which gave Gvajava ampleopportunity to counter upstairs.
Poole’s Jake Best rebounded well from defeat last time out in April as he shut out Atherton Centurion William Warburton over four-threes. Best gave the skilled journeyman no way into the fight and pressed the action throughout and banged the body with intent.
The show opened with Worthing’s Max Wicks stopping Pole Sylwester Walczak at 1-45 of a scheduled fourthrees. Walizak was forced down early from wide slashing right hooks. Max followed up and managed to score with headshots around Walizak’s attempts to hold. A heavy left hook compounded the visitor’s disorganisation and Hinds waved the affair off having seen enough.
THE VERDICT Danyo remains unbeaten, with a WBO European title that will no doubt enhance his ranking.