Ryan Toms v Duncan Cottier - Toms suffered a cut from a head clash early on but this didn't worsen. After a slowish start Toms steadily stepped up the pace, and pulled off a 40-36 points victory with a solid showing, gaining his second career win.

Tony Owen v Ben Lawler - a match of two undefeated fighters. Owen caught Lawler with a punishing right hook in the 1st but the Skegness boxer, whilst shaken, stayed on his feet. Owen kept Lawler on the back foot in the 2nd, and in the 3rd both boxers landed big rights, Owen with his powerful southpaw jab. Owen let off a barrage of telling punches as he caught Lawler on the ropes in the 4th and won a decisive 40-35 verdict.

Matt Jack v Adam Wilcox - Jack started off energetically but was shaken by two big lefts from Wilcox in the 2nd. Coming out with some purpose in the 3rd, Jack avoided Wilcox's attacks until another big left near the end of the round. Some good rights from Jack in the 4th took their toll, with Wilcox by now looking tired. A draw, 38-38.

Tony Conquest v Bobby Scott - Scott had weighed in 12 1/2 pounds heavier than his debut opponent. This mattered little as the stylish Conquest hunted down the backpedalling Scott who had to take all the punishment. 40-36 to Conquest.

Leon Williams v Mark Lewis - throughout the fight Williams got through Lewis' attempts at keeping a tight defence, with thumping punches to the head and powerful blows to the body. Lewis took the punishment and whilst bloodied, stayed on his feet. 40-36 to Williams.

Billy Slate v Jamie Ambler - this was no walkover debut for Slate. In the 1st round he was on top and negating the tall Ambler's reach, but in the 2nd he was caught by some big punches as Ambler finished strongly. In the 3rd the fight turned into a real battle which continued into the 4th. Slate got a 39-37 decision, but it was a really competitive performance from Ambler.

Pat McAleese v Geraint Harvey - McAleese was rocked by a left then a right in the first round and it looked as if he would go down. He didn't, and had regained his composure by the 2nd, which was a lot cagier. Both boxers were cut in the 3rd as the battle heated up. At the end of the 4th the Welshman nearly went down after clean punches to the head. McAleese's fitness showed in the 5th but he was still being caught by Harvey. Good defensive work from McAleese in the last round ensured a 59-56 victory, after a cracking fight that was a credit to both boxers.

John Wayne Hibbert v Andrew Patterson - in the final fight of the afternoon, and to the delight of his fans, Hibbert had Patterson down twice and referee Jeff Hinds called a halt after 34 seconds of the 2nd round. Hibbert now 2 (2 KO) - 0.


York Hall 13th September 2009