WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT NEVIN
There’s a buzz about former amateur star who takes a clear victory over Cajina
IN the British Warrior Boxing main event at York Hall, Ireland’s 2012 Olympic silver medallist John Joe Nevin took his record to 11-0 (4) with a classy and composed performance against Barcelona’s
Reynaldo Cajina. Nevin moved well throughout and landed sharp, powerful right hands in the third round. Cajina did well to stay in with Nevin, who controlled the action from start to finish, leaving the visitor as a bystander. Referee Jeff Hinds scored the contest 80-73.
Chertsey heavyweight Nick Webb suffered his second career defeat with a devastating third-round stoppage loss to Poland’s Kamil Sokolowski. Webb controlled the first and second rounds with hooks to the body and front-foot pressure. Sokolowski came out dangerously in the third and sent Webb to the canvas with a huge right hand. Webb made the count, but a powerful left hook-right hand sent Webb heavily to the canvas, which forced Hinds to wave the contest off at 2-20.
Londoner Darren Gibbons entertained in a close 39-38 victory against Lithuania’s
Victoras Razma on referee Lee Cook’s scorecard. Gibbons started strongly with digging right hooks to the body, but Razma came back late on with right hand counters to upset Gibbons’ rhythm.
Islington’s Louis Isaacs produced a poised showing against Cheshire’s Jamie
Quinn. Isaacs displayed some eyecatching work to the body and well-timed right hands throughout to dominate 40-36 on Hinds’ card.
Somerset’s Paul Roberts received his first loss, to Darlington’s Adam
Hutchinson, with a 39-38 points decision for Cook. The fight was fast-paced and high-pressured. Roberts landed solid right uppercuts in the early rounds, but Hutchinson didn’t give up, worked a solid left and outhustled Roberts.
South Wales’ Rhys Edwards claimed an impressive second-round stoppage over Swindon’s Joe Beeden. Edwards came out with a huge barrage of hooks and uppercuts that knocked Beeden all over the ring. A right hook to the body sent Beeden to the canvas in the first, but he survived. The stoppage came at 1-36 in the second after an assortment of blows on the ropes forced Hinds to step in.
Surrey’s Germaine Brown sailed to a comfortable 40-36 points success on Cook’s scorecard against Gloucestershire’s
Lewis van Poetsch. Meanwhile, Hoddesdon’s Alfie Price took a clear 60-54 decision over Cardiff’s Rhys
Saunders on Hinds’ tally. Price showed a consistent work rate throughout and switched from head to body with sharp hooks in the second. Saunders deserves credit for staying in there and coming forward for some exciting toe-to-toe action in the final rounds.
South London’s Connor Marsden made a very impressive debut with a destructive first-round stoppage over Devon’s Jamie Speight. Marsden, who looked huge for the weight, utilised a long digging jab that put Speight on the back foot immediately. A big right uppercut split Speight’s right eye, and after a barrage of hooks on the ropes, Cook was forced to step in and stop the contest after just 1-45 in the opener.
Tooting’s Simeon Preddie made a winning start to his pro career with a clear 40-36 points triumph over Southwark’s
Victor Edagha on Hinds’ slate. The most interesting action came in the second round when the top rope snapped after Edagha leaned on it during an exchange. Another successful debut came from Croydon’s Trevor Palmer, who won a 39-36 decision against West Midlander MJ
Hall, according to Cook. Milton Keynes’ Connor Wright impressed with a 40-37 verdict over Stourbridge’s awkward Kevin Mccauley for Cook. A big left hand from Wright sent Mccauley to the canvas in the second round and he upped the effort until the final bell. Elsewhere, Edmonton’s Ryan
Charles secured a messy 40-37 points victory over Bristol’s Phil Williams, also on Cook’s card.
THE VERDICT Nevin’s one to watch.