TalkingBoxing Articles
Khan, Jennings, spark Skelton show; Brits in Germany; Arthur challenges for Euro
THU July 21, DAVE CRELLIN - In a weekend of disappointments for British fight fans, the debut of Amir Khan stood out as, perhaps, the start of something special. Effectively headlining the Bolton show after Danny Williams pulled out of the heavyweight main event (more later) Khan dispatched an opponent who he was supposed to dispatch but looked very, very good in doing so.
David Bailey, for all his promises, brought nothing significant in the skills department but as soon as the bell rang it was clear his tactic was to unsettle the ex-amateur star. Three times Bailey charged in: Khan sidestepped the first rush, twisted away from the second one and then met the third with as good a right uppercut – right hook combination as you’d wish to see. It was clear from then on that it was all over bar the shouting as Bailey was dropped, rising at nine and with his corner indicating that they’d prefer their man to be spared any further blows. Although the referee waved Khan in, he was quickly forced to intervene after a storm of punches to body and head had Bailey reeling.
Done and dusted inside two minutes and Khan looked very good. He showed as much as he could have done against such an opponent in such a short space of time. He also appears to be filling into his teenage frame and looks strong at lightweight, although Bailey is by trade a super-feather. But a good outcome for the young man.
Topping the bill was supposed to be Matt Skelton and Danny Williams’ clash for the British heavyweight title but this was derailed on Friday after Williams’ wife telephoned promoter Frank Warren with news that the big Londoner was laid up with flu. This was really unfortunate timing for Williams, who only the day before had looked in good medical health if not quite in tip-top physical shape, weighing in over 20 stones (a total of 283 pounds). For a man a shade over 6 foot, this is too heavy. Warren openly questioned Williams’ commitment and undertook never to promote the likeable Tyson conqueror ever again. Looks like the end of Williams’ ring life may prove to be as anticlimactic as the rest of his sporting career. Shame.
Mark Krence was the man to step in for Williams and he emerged with pride intact. Outweighed by over 30 pounds despite being the taller man, Krence absorbed some punishing blows from Skelton and more than played his part in a bout which finished as Krence stayed on his stool at the start of the eighth. It emerged a Skelton body shot had cracked one of his ribs. Skelton showed that he can be boxed, but once again it was his fitness and desire which brought the win. He must be disappointed to have his biggest fight to date snatched from him, but he and his team must focus on finding other stepping stone opponents as quickly as possible.
Earlier, local lad Michael Jennings surprised everyone with a remarkable display of power from a man not normally known for his heavy hands. After a nip-and-tuck start to the opening round against hard man Jimmy Vincent, Jennings landed a right-left combination that completely took the senses away from Vincent. Jennings landed the British welterweight belt with the win.
There was also a win for Stephen Foster Jnr at featherweight on the undercard.
This card was the first UK professional card shown live on free-to-air television in the UK for ten years and apparently pulled in around 4 million viewers – good figures for a first time out, no doubt driven by the Khan hype. This can only be a good thing for British boxing.
Over in Germany two British boxers believed themselves to be on the end of dodgy decisions in important fights. Howard Eastman, however, can have no real complaints. Eastman was boxing the stocky, talented Arthur Abraham who simply was busier than the Londoner. The difference in abilities between the two is minute but, as was the case against William Joppy in Eastman’s first world title challenge, it was the slow pace of his work which counted against him on the scorecards.
Brian Magee may have a case, as he boxed more smartly than I’ve seen him before, working well behind a decent jab, but dropping a split decision to German-based Ukrainian Vitali Tsypko. The bout was at super-middleweight and although ‘deserves’ isn’t normally a factor in these things, Magee should be given a rematch.
British interest this weekend starts on Thursday with Fleetwood tough-girl Jane Couch fighting for the IBA and WBC Women’s Lightweight belts. Couch is a heart-and-soul fighter best known to American fans for her thorough but gutsy loss to Lucia Rijker. She boxes in Leemore, California against IBA champ Jessica Rakoczy, a lady whose signature wins came against Mia St John. Difficult night for both girls but for Couch a loss could mean the end of a top-level career. Faced with that fact, it would take some nerve to bet against the determination of the widely-respected Couch.
David Haye has cited an injury as his reason for pulling out of this Friday’s big domestic cruiserweight clash with Mark Hobson. Herbie Hide has offered to step in but no word as yet on a formalised opponent for Hobson.
The main event of the weekend is now assuredly Boris Sinitsin’s visit to Alex Arthur’s home town of Edinburgh. The Russian is once again defending the European light-feather belt he retained in a very close call in Glasgow nine months ago against Craig Docherty. Arthur has really applied himself to boxing since a shockingly easy defeat to Michael Gomez two years ago and in April this year knocked out Docherty himself.
This match is no sure-fire win for Arthur, though. Sinitsin is strong with very good fundamentals, a typical Russian fighter at this level. Arthur will look to use his superior speed but may find it difficult to make serious dents in the champion. With that in mind, Arthur had better have done his preparation – Sinitsin has plenty of experience and will give Arthur problems right until the final bell.
The undercard sees a return to action for Takaloo, the talented Iranian-born light-middleweight who last time out was the unfortunate recipient of one of the most perfect KO punches I’ve seen, when Croydon puncher Wayne Alexander knocked him out last September. Tak should beat seasoned ‘opponent’ Delroy Mellis.
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