Sunday 15th June 2008
York Hall, Bethnal Green
"FATHER'S DAY AT YORK HALL"
Live at Ringside was John Tandy, as reported on
On Fathers Day afternoon Miranda Carter was making her solo debut promoting a boxing event at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London. It was a risky move with a card mainly full of fighters making their professional debuts, the only real known name on the card was British Light Welterweight Ashley Theophane. However the gamble paid off as in front of an almost capacity crowd the fighters selected didn’t disappoint and put on a great show.
Light Welterweight: Ashley Theophane v Geoffrey Munika
In the main event of the evening Ashley the Treasure Theophane returned to the ring for the first time since his American Debut when losing out narrowly to Ali Oubaali. This was a far easier task, Ashley came out and dominated the opening rounds, however he seemed to be struggling a little to get into a rhythm, and was barely using his right hand, in the 4th round however he stepped it up and started doubling the jab and a good combination finishing with a left hook sent the tough but limited Kenyan to the canvas, the bell rand as the referees count reached 8. Ashley boxed the rest of the rounds out with no real incidents. It was discovered after the fight that he badly damaged his right hand in the opening round and had to fight the majority of the fight with one hand. Good performance considering but Ashley is destined to go on to bigger things.
Middleweight: Gokhan Kazaz v Anthony Young
Possibly the fight of the night, both fighters gave there all in this bloody affair, Kazaz got the win in a tough toe to toe battle, however from his facial damage he looked more like the looser. Both landed solid shots from the off, crowd favourite Kazaz initially took control to the delight of the capacity crowd, but Young to his credit battled back and although was the taller of the two, he took a number of punches trying to get inside, when on the inside he worked well and landed a number of big uppercuts which had blood pouring from Kazaz’s mouth. With the crowds help Kazaz continued to battle back but both stood nervously in front of the referee at the end, Kazaz’s hand was raised to Young’s dismay but it really could have gone either way.
Light Middleweight Pat McAleese v Steven Cooper
McAleese received a huge ovation from the capacity crowd, and he started well boxing and moving, and although was rushing a little he was landing some decent shots. He did however get a shock in the 2nd round when he ran straight onto a big right hand and found himself on his back. He didn’t appear hurt and rose quickly looking a little embarrassed. The knockdown was received by a big gasp from the capacity crowd but McAleese kept his composure well and finished the round strongly. The third was a similar story with Cooper taking some clean shots, by the 4th round Copper was taking a number of big shots and the corner had seen enough throwing in the towel and the referee agreed ending the contest.
Light Welterweight: Danny Chamberlain v Karl Taylor
Initially this looked the mismatch of the evening with the tall muscular figure of Chamberlain towering over the much shorter, older journeyman Karl Taylor, however looks can be deceiving as the wily journeyman although never looked like winning gave Chamberlain the run around for the full 6 rounds, in a rather dull encounter.
Super Bantamweight: Ian Bailey v Delroy Spencer
Spencer came into this one looking very nervous and unfortunately that nervousness portrayed the way he fought and he never really got into a fight that was bossed by the busier more confident Bailey.
Flyweight: Najah Ali v David Keogan
Ali started quickly and totally overwhelmed Keogan, who was knocked down in the first 10 seconds in the bout, he met the canvas twice more in the opening minute before the referee ended his misery despite his protests.
Light Welterweight: Mark McCullough v Silence Saheed
If only someone would teach Silence Saheed to box he could be a real force, he has caused problems for everyone he has ever fought with his almost reckless head on charges with his wild swinging punches. Saheed did add to his win column with this fight but it was debatable, I had McCullough winning the first two rounds and Saheed winning the second two, a draw may have been a fairer decision but the referee handed the victory to Saheed by a 39 to 37 margin, Saheed has been robbed a number of times in his career so he is probably about due a turnaround in luck, McCullough may feel a little aggrieved and it is justified but his work rate dropped off in the final rounds so he was always leaving himself open for disappointment.
Light Welterweight: Nathan Weise v Mark Douglas
The big difference between these two fighters was confidence, Douglas had a lot and Weise looked to have very little. After a little bit of a push and shoving match before the opening bell Douglas charged out from the off and told control of the fight, Weise who complained of a shoulder injury throughout seems to be able to throw his punches when needed. He was knocked down in the 3rd round but managed to beat the count however he never looked like his heart was in it.