Life after Amir Khan began for Frank Warren on Saturday at the Wembley Arena in front of around 5,000 people. It proved to be a successful night for his up and coming young guns all getting the W, most of them doing it inside the distance.
In the main event Nathan Cleverly 19-0(9) stepped up from domestic level to European level with little problems scoring a fifth round stoppage over Italian Antonio Brancalion 32-8-2(8) claiming the vacant European crown. After a lively opening round in which Cleverly had the better of things he took over and although he was caught with a few punches the 22 year old landed far more, some impressive flush shots. By the end of the fourth he dropped the Italian with a hard right, the bell rang before Cleverly could follow up. Smelling blood the Welshman went straight for Brancalion who he had on unsteady legs and teetering by the time referee Jean-Louis Legland saved him from any further punishment at 1.15 of the fifth.
The Welshman appeared at the press conference with a broad grin and all three belts he’s collected over the past 15 months. Cleverly described the fight as “A comfortable night” Warren was pleased with his charges performance and praised him adding “I’d be surprised if he didn’t fight for a world title before the end of the year” Though he still has things to learn Cleverly has a very good base to add to and proclaimed “I’m still a maths student….i haven’t taken this business serious yet” Well if this is a part time pro and as he believes he has a further 25% to add to his game the world scene should be on red alert.
Londoner Kevin “The Dagenham Destroyer” Mitchell improved to 31-0(23) with a thunderous second round stoppage over Ignacio Mendoza. In the first Mitchell sized the Columbian up, after that he clearly had the measure of his man. When Mendoza threw a combination Mitchell counted with a booming right hook before landing a left as Mendoza was falling. It was easily the best KO of the night. Mitchell holds the best unbeaten record in British Boxing at the moment.
At the press conference Warren proclaimed that the WBO had given him and Golden Boy 28 days to finalise a fight between Mitchell and there Interim Lightweight champion Michael Katsidis. It’s a fight Mitchell would very much like adding “I’m a big fan of his but i think he’s made for me” When asked about the knockout Mitchell added “I sized him up in the first, in the second i went for him. I caught him and he went down, i thought what a touch!”
Olympic Gold medallist James “Chunky” Degale 6-0(4) scored an impressive second round stoppage over Matthew Barr 14-6(6). Barr was dropped three times before the fight was waved off at 1.38 of the round. Degale later went on to say that he though he’d come a long way in the past year and felt like a much better fighter that he was a year ago when he debuted. It certainly looked that way, in his early fights he boxed on the back foot but he seems to have developed a bit more devil in his work to go with his undoubted talent.
Though he heard the bell for the first time and had a few scratches Frankie “Funtime” Gavin 6-0(5) scored a shutout 60-54 points win over the always durable Peter McDonagh 14-16(2). Gavin’s superior skills and speed clearly won him the fight but McDonagh deserves credit for his toughness. It was a case of get the win and look good next time for Gavin who will without doubt be a better fighter for this fight.
Afterwards at the press conference Frank Warren said he thought Gavin would be ready for a domestic title by the end of the year. Gavin echoed his promoters comments saying “After watching Lenny Daws (The British Champion at 140 who drew with Jason Cook) last night i’m ready”
In a British Heavyweight eliminator Derek “Del Boy” Chisora 12-0(7) made good on his promise to beat up Carl Baker 9-5(6) stopping his over matched opponent in two one sided rounds. The first was a feeling out process for Chisora before he went to work in the second and repeatedly hurt his man before Baker was stopped on his feet at 2.13 by referee Howard John Foster.The previous day at the weigh in when both men squared up to each other for the face off Chisora planted a kiss on Baker’s lips. Baker took exception and pushed Chisora to the ground. It looked at though there would be bad blood between them but it ended up being a one sided beat down from. Word is that Chisora will now face the winner of Sam Sexton & Danny Williams who have been ordered to fight each other by the the British Boxing Board of Control.
Swindon’s Jamie Cox 14-0(8) appeared to have a warm up fight on paper when he met Michael Frontin 2-7-1(0) but it turned out to be anything but that. Though he won the fight he was cut and bleeding at the final bell. Cox won 78-76 on referee Grant Wallis card.
It was a good night for the Walsh clan with Liam Walsh 7-0(6) scoring an impressive four round stoppage over the usually durable Sid Razak 4-41(1) at Super Featherweight.
Ryan Walsh moved to 9-0(3) when he beat Ian Bailey 5-4(0) by the single score of 59-55 on referee Jeff Hinds card at Super Bantamweight.
In Bantamweight action Michael Walsh continued his KO streak to take his record to 7-0(7) with a stoppage over Najah Ali 3-1(1).
Though big brother Kevin had done the business earlier Vinny Mitchell 11-1(2) wasn’t able to complete a good night for the family when he was surprisingly stopped in four by former opponent Jon Baguley 9-17-1(4).
George Michael Carmen successfully made his debut with a four round decision over Matt Seawright 3-25(0) in Welterweight action.
In attendance were Up and coming Light Heavyweight Tony Bellew who hopes to get a fight with Cleverly down the road. European Light Middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes. Along with the Light Middleweight Prizefighter Steve O’Meara who was part of James Degale’s camp. English Soccer player Joe Cole was also ringside.
