Ballazhi wins bow

But has to get off the floor, writes Simon Euan-smith at ringside

POPULAR Dennis Ballazhi delighted his Albanian fans and made a winning pro debut, outscoring Romania’s Octavian Gratii at the O2 Forum.

Ballazhi’s one awkward moment came in the second, when a right counter put him down. He was up quickly, and opened up with both hands once referee Sean Mcavoy (officiating throughout) had completed the eight-count. Gratii went on the move and countered when he could.

Gratii had come to fight, as he had against Saqib Khan at Brentwood eight days earlier. He moved well, presenting an awkward, sideon target and he marked Bellazhi below the left eye in the third. But Bellazhi (now based in East Finchley) consistently outworked him, scoring well with solid digs to the body (one had Gratii claiming a low blow in the last, and he was given time to recover). Referee Mcavoy scored the six-rounder 58-55.

Three four-rounders completed this Boxing Management London bill, all scored 40-36 to the house fighter.

Another Albanian debutant, Uxbridge-based Ergal Elejaz, triumphed against Blackpool’s Jake Darnell, who was outweighed by just over two stone and looked small beside his rival. Both in fact carried surplus around the waist. Elezaj picked his shots effectively and Darnell frequently held on – but Elezaj did occasionally leave himself, and when there was an opening Darnell exploited it.

Southpaw Frankie Storey (Luton) made it five straight wins with a clear victory over Westbrook’s Ricky Leach. Storey stamped his authority from the outset, showing fast hands and landing freely to head and body.

Watford’s Brandon Lewis also maintained his 100 per cent record, moving to 3-0 with a win over Southwark-based Italian Victor

Edagha. This got messy at times, with Edagha wrestled over in the first and second sessions. The effective work always came from Lewis, however.