| |
|
|
Search & Destroy, York Hall
June 4th
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
Saturday’s Search & Destroy was set to be an historic
occasion right from the off, as the event was being promoted
by the youngest professional boxing promoter ever, twenty
year old Olivia Goodwin.
Considering her tender years Olivia put on one heluva show,
initially the event was planned as a sixteen bout double
title show but as is the professional game there were a few
dropouts, including the planned British Masters title fight
between Toks Owoh and Tony Conquest. On the night ended up
as still with a whooping thirteen fight card crammed to the
gills with quality, closely matched bouts and all the
razzmatazz you would expect from a major Championship event.
Headlining the show see Thamesmead’s Ryan ‘Mr Attitude’
Barrett making his first defense of the International
Masters Lightweight title he won in spectacular style,
stopping Mark Alexander in just 96 seconds, back in
September.
Barrett’s opponent was the former Kenyan Champion Geoffrey
‘The Tiger’ Munika, a dangerous opponent who had held
British Welterweight Champion Lee Purdy to a draw
previously.
The first round started quite slow, after about a minute or
so Barrett was the first to dip his toes in the water,
letting rip with a solid jab quickly followed by a solid
left hook. Munika tried to respond but before he could
Barrett let rip with a double handed attack ending with a
massive overhand left that shook the Kenyan to the core. How
Munika stayed on his feet God only knows, but he did and
managed to stay out of too much trouble to see out the
round. Easy round to score as Ryan was on top most of the
round.
The knock down may not have come in the first round but it
sure did in the second, and it came fast. Barrett was out of
the blocks in a flash, Munika had barely got three foot from
his corner before the first of Barrett’s exocets hit the
target. The Kenyan dipped and swayed in an attempt to avoid
the wave after wave of big lefts and rights raining down on
him, then just as he tried to respond with a jab he got
caught by a massive left that sent him back towards the
ropes and crashing to the canvas.
The shot was massive and no one really expected Munika to
recover, but he did. As soon as Munika was on his feet
Barrett went back on the attack and an early finish looked
on the cards. Wrong, Munika decided to stand and trade
before turning to more savvy defensive tactics to see the
round out. 10-8 round to Barrett.
The third, fourth and fifth rounds the pace slowed, as
Barrett had switched to long game tactics, and some nice
tidy boxing came from both men. In all rounds the most most
work and meaningful shots were all from Barrett, earning him
the rounds easily.
Going into the sixth Barrett was already five rounds and a
knockdown up and looked to be cruising to an easy victory,
that is until the unthinkable happened. Early on in the
sixth both started mixing it up on the inside, Barrett
looked comfortably in control but in a flash things would
change.
The crowd jumped to their feet in unison as the Londoner
collapsed onto to all fours, following receiving a short,
sharp left to the body. Barrett was clearly in a lot of
discomfort, the paramedics and doctor rushed into the ring
as referee Ken Curtis waved the fight off.
Following receiving the International Master Lightweight
belt, from the Masters Organisation’s supremo Bruce Baker,
Geoffrey Munika said, “Ryan Barrett is a good fighter, he
handled me well today but I got him with a lucky punch. He’s
a good fighter.
Now I’m talking with Danny and my other trainer and I want
the Commonwealth title now. I’ve been in this boxing
business four years now so I would like to fight someone
like Derry Matthews, yeah I want the Commonwealth title.”
The main support for the title fights was due to pit the
talented London based Dutch Cruiserweight Mitchell Balker
against equally tough Hari ‘H Bomb’ Miles. However due to
spraining his ankle on Thursday the bout was called off.
In place of this highly anticipated Balker-Miles bout the
main support instead see Dunstable’s Mark ‘Pee Wee’ Adams
take on Guildford’s Louis Byrne.
Adams has the reputation of being something of a knockout
artist, having won seven of his ten wins on the unlicensed
circuit by KO. However Byrne is as savvy as they come and
knows how to stay out of trouble when needs be.
All four rounds were closely contested, so close that I
personally scored two of the rounds even. The action was
nonstop both protagonists taking turns to attack. There were
no real outstanding exchanges, just first class boxing from
the pair, much to the crowds delight. At the end of the bout
the referee raised Adam’s hand in victory. I’m not sure of
the margin as Adam’s huge support were so loud I couldn’t
hear the result!
As I have previously stated Olivia had put together a
stacked card featuring the cream of London and Home Counties
fighters. There were some seriously great fights, like
Weise-Fox, Adams-Ziausys and Woodgate-Monteith, that really
deserve a much more in-depth report than I can give due to
space constraints, I only hope that my short reports below
get across just how good these fights were, as were every
other bout on the night, just those three, and Billy
Cayzer’s performance, really were exceptional.
NATHAN WEISE Vs. AARON FOX
Fox was originally due to fight Weise’s TKO Gym mate Sam
Standing, but due to him coming in a whooping fifteen pounds
over the weight limit some quick switching of opponents came
into to play.
Weise made his welcome return, after eighteen months out due
to a near career ending shoulder injury, to the ring in some
style.
Weise took the fight to Fox right from the opening bell, he
danced around Fox picking him off with beautiful crisp jabs.
Fox would respond, but more often than not without much
effect as Weise would have moved out of range.
Both the first and second rounds were more or less a pure
boxing exhibition by Weise, with Fox have limited success in
return. Round three see Weise step up a gear, utilising his
packed arsenal punches to full effect.
For the final round Weise really went to town and a stoppage
win looked on the cards. About midway through the round Fox
found himself corralled against the ropes. Weise clinically
took him apart, landing massive double handed shots to the
body and head. The combinations thrown were crisp and
effective. Fox was in serious trouble and Weise looked
formidable.
Surprisingly Weise never went in for the kill instead he
played with Fox like a cat with a mouse until the final bell
and secure a tidy 40-36 points victory.
On any other show this would easily be the Fight of the
Night, but there was one that just pipped it.
MICHAEL DEVINE Vs. DAN CARR
Both the first rounds see Luton’s Michael ‘The Real Chunky’
Devine out class Trowbridge’s ‘Dirty’ Dan Carr. Throughout
the rounds Devine was divine (I know I used this in a
previous report on him, but he was). He picked his shots and
executed them perfectly, even when Carr would use his
patented bullying tactics. Devine easily controlled the
often wild and erratic Carr with ease to take both rounds.
Round three was another cracking round in similar ilk to the
previous two, marred only by ‘Dirty’ Dan’s deciding to let
rip with one more shot well after the final bell.
After receiving a good talking to from the referee Carr went
on the attack big time. Devine kept his cool utilising his
jab to keep the ever advancing Carr at arms length, before
stepping forward to let rip with yet another heavy hook or
straight right.
Midway through Devine had had enough and instead stood his
ground and slugged it out toe to toe before lithely stepping
back and letting rip with a massive overhand right whistled
by Carr’s ear. If that had landed it would surely have been
lights out for Carr. Devine returned to his previous tactics
to see the fight out. No surprise when the score card was
read out, 40-37 in favour of Michael Devine.
SAM STANDING Vs. JOHNNY GREAVES
The replacement opponent for Plumstead’s Sam Standing, with
Aaron Fox being pulled for being fifteen pounds over the
weight limit, was West Ham’s Johnny Greaves.
Greaves must have been mightily peeved at being called in at
late notice as he went for it hammer and tongs right from
the start. Standing kept a cool head to outbox the ever
charging Greaves at bay.
Throughout the bout Greaves would try to bully and push his
younger opponent, but Standing stuck to his game plan and
boxed beautifully to take the victory by a tidy 40-37
points.
ALI ADAMS Vs. REMIGIJUS ZIAUSYS
Prior to the start of the bout there was a minute’s silence
in remembrance to Ali Adams’ Father who passed away last
month. After which London based Iraqi Adams said he was
dedicating the fight to his late Father.
Adams, who was a previous quarter finalist in Prizefighter -
Heavyweights, rocketed from his corner as the bell rang and
landed a massive right that sent the Lithuanian reeling back
to the ropes. Adams stepped forward and continued the
assault. Ziausys returned some heavy shots of his own in a
vein attempt to stop the ever forward rolling Adams
juggernaut.
For the full four rounds Ziausys attempted to stand his
ground as Adams showcased his fully loaded Arsenal of
punches. So often the crowd jumped to their feet shouting
Ali, Ali, Ali, as Adams set about the Lithuanian, you could
have been forgiven in thinking that you were at a Muhammad
Ali fight in the sixties. Mind you Adams’ performance was
not that different to one of those by ‘The Greatest’
himself.
No surprise then that Adams takes the win by a shutout 40-36
points victory or that this fight gets my award as the Fight
of the Night.
DAN WOODGATE Vs. SABIE MONTEITH
Another Fight of the Night contender featured Minster,
Kent’s Dan ‘Woody’ Woodgate against the very, very tough
battler Sabie Monteith.
After a fairly slow start the fight soon turned into
outright war, after Monteith made his intentions crystal
clear late in the first round by letting rip with a huge
roundhouse, which if it landed had that much force it would
have been lights out for Woodgate for sure.
Woodgate made a mental note and then proceeded to punish
Monteith fully, for the rest of the first round and the
following three Woodgate. The punishment was dealt out in
formidable style. As the rounds progressed it was clear
these two just didn’t like each other and in the fourth and
final round, which has to be Round of the Night, was plain
mayhem - think Gatti-Ward and you’ll have an idea just how
good this round was. I loved it.
At the end of four bloody, for Moneith who had been cut in
the third round by a vicious right hand, rounds Woody was
rewarded by a much deserved shutout 40-36 points victory.
Prior to the Woodgate-Monteith bout promoter Olivia Goodwin
was joined in the ring by ‘Magnificent’ Kevin Mitchell,
outstanding Light Middleweight prospect Erick ‘The Eagle’
Ochieng and cancer sufferer Jamie Woods.
Erick spoke briefly about his upcoming English title
challenge whilst Kevin spoke about his date with destiny
against John Murray on July 9th as well as of his friend
Jamie who is battling cancer. After which Jamie received a
standing ovation from the assembled crowd.
Erick and Kevin were not the only local stars in the
audience, so were former European Bantamweight Champion Ian
‘Dappa’ Napa, Scott and Vinny Woolford, Southern Area
Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams, undisputed (WBA,IBF,
WBC) Welterweight Champion Lloyd Honeyghan, Featherweight
prospect ‘Saint’ George Jupp and many many more.
OK, now back to the action.
DANNY CONNOR Vs. DANNY DONTCHEV
Tooting’s Danny Dontchev was really fired up for the bout
against Mitcham’s Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor, no testing the
waters in this one, Dontchev went straight on the attack.
However Connor wasn’t fazed one iota and stuck to his game
plan and boxed his way out of trouble.
Connor, who recently got his first pro-win over Duane
Grimes, has really come on a pace and endeavoured to control
the hard charging Dontchev with crisp sharp jabs and
superior movement.
As the rounds went on Dontchev became increasingly
frustrated at being so easily picked off, by the relatively
inexperienced Connor, and started to let rip with massive
bombs. The only problem was most didn’t reach the target,
Connor would move fluidly around him and pick him off with
either sharp jabs or a double handed flurry.
Saying that I found it hard to score most of the rounds as
they were just too close to call and I wasn’t too surprised
when the score was read out as 40-38 in favour of Connor,
but Dontchev clearly was as he raised his arms to mock the
decision and then proceeded to parade around the ring to
receive the plaudits of the crowd.
KRIS AGYEI-DUA Vs. LUKE OSMAN
Chelsea’s excellent Kris Agyei-Dua got his third pro outing
off to a cracking start.and dominated Treharris’ Luke Osman
throughout the first round. in the second round Osman took
the fight to Agyei-Dua, which suited him just fine. The pair
often just stood toe to toe slugging in out much to the
crowd’s delight.
The third and fourth rounds was more of the same, with
control passing back and forth. Osman would push forward,
occasionally backing Agyei-Dua on to the ropes, before
letting rip with double handed exocets. Problem for Osman
was that Agyei-Dua would duck and weave before letting rip
with solid right hand counter punches.
It was a cracking fight that came so close to be included in
my Fight of the Night shortlist and I have to admit I wasn’t
surprised that it was a closely scored bout, 39-38 in favour
of Agyei-Dua, as it was a fairly evenly fought bout.
WILLIAM CAYZER Vs. MATT SEAWRIGHT
Stoppage of the Night award has to go to debuting Billy
Cayzer, for his magnificent performance and exceptional
finishing, over Tamworth’s Matt Seawright,
There’s not much to say on this, except to praise the
eighteen year old for his mature performance and clinical
punching. For two minutes and fifty nine seconds young
Cayzer dealt with the hard charging veteran with ease and
the finish, well what can I say but it was the most vicious
left hook to the body, and it was no surprise that the
referee instantly waved the fight off as it was clear
Seawright was in no condition to continue.
BRETT O’CALLAGHAN Vs. MATT SCRIVEN
In his short career nineteen year old Brett O’Callaghan
doesn’t seem to get many breaks, on his debut back in
December he had a last minute switch of opponent and got the
highly experienced Billy Smith, on Saturday he got yet
another seasoned pro to contend with in Nottingham’s Matt
Scriven.
The Scriv was in no mood to give the youngster from Holloway
an easy night and went to work hard and fast. O’Callaghan
though is as savvy as they come and played the long game
with neat jabs and clever footwork.
O’Callaghan remained cool, calm and collected throughout,
The Scriv just couldn’t wind him up, and into a slugging
match, no matter how hard he tried, O’Callaghan just stuck
to his game plan and his boxing was pure artistry. No
surprise that the referee scored this one as a shutout 40-36
points win for young Brett O’Callaghan.
I have to make a quick comment as the report just doesn’t
get across just how good young Brett O’Callaghan is. In my
between rounds notes I praised him so highly for his
exceptional boxing, and rightly so.
I have to say I believe that I am lucky enough to be
watching a young man who is going to become one of the
biggest stars in the sport in a few years. I really feel
this kid can go all the way to the top, he has it all plus
he has the world class team of Alec Wilkey and Johnny Eames
guiding him.
EDER KURTI Vs. JODY MEIKLE
Yet another fight that on any other night would be right up
there on my Fight of the Night contenders list. Mind you
every fight I’ve seen Woolwich’s Eder Kurti in is a real
cracker. On Saturday Kurti had Scuntrhorpe’s Jody Meikle to
contend with, no easy fight this for sure.
The first round was a closely fought affair, neither really
going to town as both protagonists were clearly sizing the
other up.
Round two and three were something else altogether though as
they both really livened up. They went at each other hammer
and tongs, Meikle turned up the wick first, and promptly
must have regretted it as Kurti doesn’t mess around. A full
scale war ensued which produced some of the best exchanges
of the night, as well as some of the scrappiest.
The final round was all Kurti for me, don’t get me wrong
Meikle was in there just Kurti was magnificent. He was
picking his punches and landing them at will. He pulled out
every weapon from his extensive Arsenal and used them to
maximum effect. Body shots, hooks, uppercuts and some
sensational combinations. I was surprised that this fight
went the distance as Kurti landed a couple of massive left
hands that would have stopped most, just Meikle one tough
cookie.
No surprise again with the scoring - 39-37 in favour of Eder
Kurti.
DIEGO BURTON Vs. IAIN JACKSON
The opening bout of the night see Peckham’s Diego Burton
debut against Brighton’s Iain Jackson.
Not surprisingly the first round see both lads sizing each
other up, some nice work from both but I couldn’t really
split them so scored the round a draw.
After taking instruction from James Cook Burton came out in
the second fired-up and proceeded to exert his authority
with some cracking body shots. Jackson learns quickly and
resorted to his jab to keep Burton at bay, but in my view
too late to prevent Burton taking the round.
The tables turned in round three as Jackson turned up the
pressure on the new boy to easily take the round.
A lot of back and forth action took place in the fourth and
final round, personally I thought Burton had just done
enough to take the round but as the referee scored the bout
a draw I assume he didn’t.
All in all it was excellent night of boxing, jam packed with
drama, excitement and top class boxing. Olivia may only be
twenty years old but this girl really knows how to put a
show on.
Afterwards I managed to catch up with Olivia Goodwin, who
said, “To be honest I thought it was a cracking night, we
ended up with thirteen bouts instead of the planned sixteen
bouts, so we only lost three bouts which I think was
absolutely tremendous because you normally lose a lot more
than that.
Everything went to plan, every bout was absolutely brilliant
and exciting. Their was not a down point except in the last
fight with Ryan Barrett, which was very sad and obviously
didn’t go to plan as we wanted. It seemed that Ryan had the
upper hand but obviously things can change in a second in
boxing. Unfortunately he went down and couldn’t get up. But
other than that it had been absolutely electric.
The support that the boys bought with them tonight has been
out of this world, I’d like to thank them all for bringing
their fans and selling the tickets to make this night such a
special one.
I am off to such an amazing start and all I want to do is
improve and improve and get my shows bigger and bigger, and
I want all my boys to come with me.”
|
|
|
