Event Report: PRIZEFIGHTER – HEAVYWEIGHTS 4

Posted on | October 11, 2010 | No Comments

9th October 2010, York Hall London

By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

The big bangers were back in town, at the York Hall, London, on Saturday night for the highly anticipated Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4 and there wasn’t much surprise when bookies favourites Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott met in the final.

Prior to the old foes battling each other for the third time in their careers, there were six top class bouts. So without further ado here’s a recap of the action and drama, oh and a little controversy, that preceded the final of Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4.

QUARTER-FINAL 1: MATT SKELTON VS. ALI ADAMS

Adams came out hard and fast, opening up with a flurry of powerful shots, only for Skelton to retaliate with a massive right hand and uppercut to slow the London based Iraqi. For the next two rounds Skelton showed his well earned pedigree by chasing down Adams, stifling any attempt to land any meaningful punches.

Following a severe reprimand from his corner men, Johnny Eames and Jimmy Tibbs, Adams finally switched tactics in the third and did what he is so good at, Boxing smart – moving in, let rip with a lightning fast jab and then getting out. Adams almost immediately took control and landed some meaningful punches, and in my eyes, and that of one of the judges, won the round.

I can’t help but think if Adams had used these tactics, instead of going to war with Skelton early, the final result could easily have been reversed, but he didn’t and the result was a unanimous 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 decision in favour of Bedford’s Matt Skelton.

QUARTER-FINAL 2: KEVIN MCBRIDE VS. FRANKLIN EGOBI

Whilst the pace was not quite a frenetic as the previous bout big Kevin McBride and Franklin Egobi still gave the fans their moneys worth.

Throughout the first round both fighters seemed to have the same fight plan, keep on the inside and don’t give the other any opening for a big shot, which lead to a lot of slow action and plenty of holding. Egobi landed the most telling punches, including a couple of wicked hooks that shook the big Irishman to the core, to secure the round.

Round two see McBride using his substantial weight advantage to good effect, constantly leaning on, and pushing, Egobi whilst pumping in short sharp hooks to the body and head. An explosive burst by McBride, culminating in a heavy 1-2 combination, got the lively crowd on their feat and was the clear highlight of the round.

Round three was lot like the first except this time McBride was far more aggressive, often pushing the Nigerian back on the ropes and unsuccessfully trying to get some combinations flowing.

The big Irishman progressed to the semi’s with a split decision; The judges scorecards read 29-28 twice for McBride and the other judge seeing it, by the same score, for Egobi.

QUARTER-FINAL 3: DECLAN TIMLIN VS. SHANE MCPHILBIN

Shane McPhilbin may have been the smallest and least experienced fighter on the card, although you wouldn’t have thought it based on his superb performance against the previously unbeaten Declan Timlin.

Right from the opening bell McPhilbin took the fight to Timlin, working his immaculate jab to high effect. The Irishman was clearly in trouble and just couldn’t keep the Yorkshire Terrier like McPhilbin at bay, quite early on Timlin started grabbing and holding to nullify the constant attacks. With his vociferous fans cheering him on McPhilbin just shrugged the hapless Timlin aside to unload with both hands. Following another Timlin holding session the crowd, as one, roared as McPhilbin let rip with a massive hook, that wobbled the Irishman, followed up by a series of Jabs and big right hands.

The decibel levels rose to a deafening level as the pair came out for the second round, McPhilbin, being driven forward by a wave of chants, went straight on the attack and around the twenty second mark sent Timlin to the deck with a vicious left hook. The Irishman made the count and was instantly set upon by McPhilbin with a heavy handed flurry that had him reeling. The referee, John Murray, jumped in to save Timlin from going down for the second time with just 51 seconds on the clock.

QUARTER-FINAL 4: MICHAEL SPROTT VS. DANNY HUGHES

Round one see Sprott dominate the scoring with a masterful boxing display, landing powerful right hands time after time. Hughes though would retaliate with heavy rights of his own as Sprott came flying in with wild swings.

In the second the baying crowd were whipped to a frenzy by the frantic whirlwind of action that followed a wild left hook from Sprott that clipped the Sunderland fighter. The Berkshire banshee went totally berserk in his eagerness to finish the fight off letting rip with wild flurries which forced the referee to jump in to separate the pair, and in doing so pushing Sprott across the ring and onto the deck. Hughes emerged with blood pouring from a bad cut above his right eye but was able to continue.

Round three see more of the same with Sprott targeting the cut eye often. Hughes showed his mettle though and landed some good shots of his own in between the wild swinging attacks from Sprott.

The judges were unanimous in their scoring 30-27 in favour of Reading’s Michael Sprott.

SEMI-FINAL 1: MATT SKELTON VS. KEVIN MCBRIDE

Skelton-McBride was an ugly, brutal and highly controversial affair. Both fighters seemed content to clinch and hold, well at least for the first round, which was a very hard round to score as neither landed any significant punches.

Round two on the other hand was very easy to score, 10-8 for McBride, or should have been as Skelton was sent to the deck by a beautiful right hook which for some inexplicable reason the referee decided not to rule as a knockdown. McBride sensed an early finish was on the cards continued to attack the visibly shaken Skelton, letting off a series of hard body shots and vicious hooks.

McBride started the third round aggressively, Skelton responded with some solid right hands. Both fought hard at times, mixing it up at close quarters with heavy body shots, in-between the incessant clinches.

In my view McBride pipped the scoring anyway, even without the knockdown, and should have progressed to the final. However all three judges see the fight as 29-28 for Skelton.

SEMI-FINAL 2: MICHAEL SPROTT VS. SHANE MCPHILBIN

Shane McPhilbin fought his heart out in vein against the far more experienced Michael Sprott in the second semi-final. The game McPhilbin was under pressure from the start with Sprott launching wild flaying attack time after time. The youngster is one tough cookie though and withstood everything Sprott threw at him, even getting limited success with wild attacks of his own.

After three hard fought rounds Sprott, who landed the more meaningful punches, was declared the victor by unanimous 30-27 decision.

THE FINAL: MATT SKELTON VS. MICHAEL SPROTT

Just moments before the highly anticipated third career meeting, of Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott, in the final of Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4 the ubiquitous Black Eyed Peas anthem blares from the sound system sending the already highly vocal York Hall crowd into a frenzy.

The decibel level rose another notch as the MC introduced the two protagonists, and another notch again as the opening bell rang.

Right from the bell the pair locked horns in a toe-to-toe close quarter battle, neither willing to concede an inch of ground or present the other an opportunity to strike. Even so Sprott managed did manage at times to get some distance and keep the advancing Skelton at bay with firm jabs and secured the round with a beautiful hook that momentarily stunned Skelton.

Skelton did get more success in the second but was still unable to contain the more aggressive Sprott who had been landing more effective shots throughout.

Skelton started to get the upper hand in the third, efficiently working on the inside with vicious uppercuts and hooks to Sprott’s body. As the round progressed Sprott temporarily regained control with his jab to keep Skelton at bay. In the dying moments Skelton mounted one last concerted close quarter attack to try and snatch the round and possible tournament victory.

The crowd waited, would it be Skelton’s third successive victory over Sprott or had Sprott finally defeated his old foe. The answer was the later Reading’s Michael Sprott emerged the Prizefighter – Heavyweights 4 tournament victor by a 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 split decision

NEXT PRIZEFIGHTER EVENT:

Up next in the Prizefighter series is the Super Featherweights which will be on Saturday 20th November.

Goodwin Promotions: ‘JUDGEMENT DAY’

Posted on | October 11, 2010 | No Comments

Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym
York Hall, London – 4th December 2010

For Immediate Release

London – Monday 11th October 2010

4th December 2010 Is ‘Judgement Day’ For El Maachi, Barrett And Marston

Yassine El Maachi is set to defend his International Masters Light Middleweight title, against the seriously tough France based Haitian Jimmy Colas at the Steve Goodwin promoted “JUDGEMENT DAY” double title event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday the 4th December 2010.

El Maachi, who won the vacant title back in April following a scintillating battle with France’s Bertrand Aloa, will have his work cut out as Colas has an impressive championship record that includes his being the French Light Middleweight Champion, which he defended twice, a two time EBU Light Middleweight Champion and he is the current WBC Latino Light Middleweight Champion.

Co-headlining ‘Judgement Day’ will be Ryan ‘Mr Attitude’ Barrett who will be defending his newly won International Masters Lightweight title, against a yet to be named opponent.

Barrett will be looking to retain the form that see him utterly destroy, the normally classy, Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander in less than 90 seconds to lift the belt on September 11th. On the night Barrett plain out boxing the hapless Alexander, who was sent to the canvas no less than three times, before the referee called a halt to proceedings.

There are no less than twelve top class support fights including the highly anticipated all girl Featherweight clash, rescheduled from September 11th, between Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym’s Marianne ‘Golden Girl’ Marston, and the highly experienced Welsh battler Lana Cooper. Fireworks are expected as both have similar come forward style and neither like to concede ground. Sounds like a good old toe-to-toe war is on the cards.

Another of Johnny Eames’ rising stars on the show is the ever stylish crowd pleasing Featherweight ‘Saint’ George Jupp, against a yet to be named opponent.

Back in September, at the ‘It’s Personal’ event, ‘St George’ put on one of the best boxing displays of the season so far, when he plain outclassed the experienced Pavels Senkovs with his slick long jab and fast hands. When Senkovs tried to bully his way back into the fight Jupp showed that, even though he is a truly skilled boxer, he was quite happy to stand centre ring and slug it out when needed.

Fresh from his superb victory, over veteran Hastings Rasani, the highly popular Essex Cruiserweight Tony ‘The Conqueror’ Conquest will again be in action and looking to extend his unbeaten record against a yet to be named opponent.

Conquest’s gym mate, the highly entertaining Welterweight John Wayne Hibbert, will be making his welcome return to the York Hall. The Stetson wearing Hibbert is an all action fighter with a knockout reputation – four stoppage finishes in his six outings to date.

Explosive all action fighters seem to be the standard at Steve Goodwin promoted shows, and Waltham Abbey’s Phil Gill, AKA ‘The Experience’, exemplified this back in September when he slugged it out with Damien Turner for four action drama packed rounds to increase his unbeaten record to six.

In the very same vein unbeaten Light Middleweight War Lord Michael ‘The Zambezi Hitman’ Norgrove will be back in action, against a yet to be named opponent, and looking to take his unbeaten record to four.

Bethnal Green’s own Jamie Arlain gets his second outing. Big things are expected of the local young Light Welterweight. Back in September Arlain impressed on his pro debut out pointing the highly experienced tough guy Danny Dontchev.

Islington’s John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder will surely be looking to emulate his stunning debut victory. So far Ryder has had just 90 seconds of ring action. That’s right it took him just half a round to beat the hapless Ben Deghani into submission. Deghani is no sapp either, back in June, at the King’s Hall Belfast, he broke the jaw of rising star Kris Carslaw during their clear ‘Fight of the Night’ encounter.

Another single fight veteran with an early knockout record is Ely, Cambs Light Welterweight Tyler Goodjohn. His first victim, Dale Hutchinson, staying the course 264 seconds longer than Denghani did with Ryder.

Rounding out the show are three debutants. Super Featherweight Richard Hines, Light Welterweight Charlie Kelly and from the Ultrachem TKO Gym stable Super Middleweight Brett O’Callaghan.

Tickets for Judgement Day at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 4th December 2010 are on sale now – priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).

For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.

JESSE BRINKLEY – A CHANCE AT HISTORY

Posted on | October 11, 2010 | No Comments

October 11th, 2010, Montreal — On October 15th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, current IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute, will fight mandatory contender Jesse Brinkley. For Brinkley, not only is it his shot to become champion, it’s also chance to make history in his home state.

Yerington is a small farming town in Northwestern Nevada. A population of about three thousand, this is where Brinkley was born and raised

Boxing has practically become Nevada’s state sport. Thousands of world-title fights have taken place there over the years, and most agree that Las Vegas is currently the Mecca for big fights. So many title fights, yet it is believed that not one of the great champions who fought in Nevada was a Nevadan. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Southern California, all hotbeds of boxing have their home champions and legends. Curiously enough, this is not the same for the “Silver State”. Brinkley wants to change that.

“I want to bring a world title home.” says Brinkley. “It would mean so much to me. My family, friends, fans and supporters back home deserve it too.”

Historically, Nevadans value libertarianism, the frontier spirit, and rugged individualism. Jesse Brinkley is a rugged individual. Boxing is just the beginning. An avid fisherman, hunter, outdoorsman, firearm enthusiast, gambler, and family man – Brinkley is Nevada personified.

“I think his biggest disappointment about the timing of the fight with Bute is that he had to miss out on the annual Lyon County Fair demolition derby competition. He enters every year.” Said Let’s Get It On Promotions’ Tommy Lane. “Sometimes, if you can’t get a hold of him for a few days, you know that he is out in the wilderness hunting or fishing.”

In Canada, Jesse Brinkley will wear the colors of the Star Spangled Banner. On the back of his trunks, however, you will see Nevada’s State flag and motto “Battle Born.” Jesse Brinkley, indeed, was born to fight.

ABOUT LET’S GET IT ON PROMOTIONS:

Reno, Nevada based “Let’s Get It On Promotions” was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane. In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super-middleweight world title challenger Jesse Brinkley, Let’s Get It On Promotions also promotes former jr. middleweight world champion Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, middleweight prospects Brandon Gonzales, and Derek Hinkey, and lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal.

NICK DIAZ RETAINS STRIKEFORCE BELT AND EVENS SCORE IN INSTANT MMA CLASSIC WIN OVER KJ NOONS

Posted on | October 11, 2010 | No Comments

Saturday, Oct. 9, Live on SHOWTIME® From HP Pavilion, San Jose, Calif.;

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2010) – A grudge rematch lived up to its hype and more Saturday when Nick Diaz (22-7, 1 NC) of Stockton, Calif., won his eighth consecutive fight and retained his STRIKEFORCE welterweight championship with an exciting, crowd-pleasing five-round decision over KJ Noons (9-2) of San Diego, Calif. in a 25-minute slugfest at HP Pavilion on SHOWTIME® that SHOWTIME announcer Mauro Ranallo called “one of the most exciting stand-up contests in MMA history.’’

By winning a unanimous decision by the scores of 49-46, 49-47 and 48-47, Diaz evened the score with heated rival Noons, who defeated him by disputed first-round TKO on Nov. 7, 2007. Noons had a six-fight winning streak end.

The first bout ended in bloody controversy; the return bout was highlighted by high drama and intense two-way exchanges that left both proud, courageous fighters bloody and spent at the finish. Diaz was cut around the right eye and nose. Noons was cut around the nose and mouth.

In other results on the televised portion of the “Diaz vs. Noons II’’ event presented by STRIKEFORCE and Rockstar Energy Drink: Marlos Coenen (18-4) of The Netherlands captured the STRIKEFORCE Female Welterweight title with an impressive third-round submission (arm-bar) over previously unbeaten Sarah Kaufman (12-1) of Victoria, British Columbia; former STRIKEFORCE belt-holder Josh Thomson (18-3) of San Jose earned a hard-fought three-round decision over Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (15-4-1) of Brazil in a battle of world-ranked lightweights and Tyron Woodley (8-0), of St. Louis, Mo., registered a 1:28, first-round knockout over Andre Galvao (5-2) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a matchup of up-and-coming welterweights.

“I knew I won the decision but I’m a little disappointed I didn’t finish him in the first round,’’ said Diaz, a Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who only attempted a handful of takedowns.. “I’m a little surprised he hung in like he did because he took a lot of punishment. But he has a good chin.’’

Diaz was cut on the right eye early in the second round, but his corner did an excellent job of minimizing and controlling the cut and it was not a major factor for the most part the remainder of the bout.

“I was worried about the cut, but my corner told me it wasn’t a big deal,’’ he said. “I am not opposed to a third fight down the road if Noons wins a few fights. Whatever the fans want. Anything is possible.’’

Noons took the tough setback with class. “Honestly, he beat me fair and square. But I landed more punches than him. I out-struck him. Even though I got a little tired at the very end, I kept pushing all the way. I know I was getting to him. If they want a third fight, you know I’ll go for it.’’

Thomson, who may have earned himself a third fight with STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, was happy with the win but unhappy with his performance.

“I probably could have fought much harder but JZ is a very dangerous guy and one of the best in the world and it was obviously very important for me to win so I played it a little safe,’’ Thomson said. “I felt this might go the distance but no way I won that fight, 30-27. He got me a few times, but I hurt more from his two headbutts (that required stitches).’’

Coenen, a strikingly attractive submission whiz, was pitching a shutout on all three judges’ scorecards after two rounds although some at press row had the fight even. After scoring her eighth career triumph by arm-bar, she was in near tears inside the cage.

“Like I said before, winning the world title can be a life-changing thing for me,’’ said Coenen, whose first defense is slated to be against Miesha Tate, who won a four-woman, one-night 135-pound elimination tournament earlier this year on STRIKEFORCE Challengers on SHOWTIME.

“Miesha won the tournament, she’s a great grappler and obviously very good,’’ Coenen said. “I will definitely have to stand with her. For tonight’s fight, I worked very hard. This is an unbelievable feeling.’’

A disappointed Kaufman took the defeat in stride but is hopeful of a rematch. “This kind of thing happens,’’ she said. “I made a mistake and Marloes capitalized. Up until then, I was fine and felt I was hurting her. She never hurt me. If I have to get back in line and win a fight or two to get a rematch, that’s what I’ll do. I’d love to fight her again.’’

Woodley entered the fight intent on proving his striking ability and he did, landing a couple of right hands as Galvao, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, went for a takedown. Galvao made it to his feet, but was still woozy. When he attempted another takedown, Woodley delivered a few more shots, the ref stepped in and stopped it, and Woodley had registered his first pro KO win.

“I feel awesome,’’ said 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Woodley, a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri who was making his first start on the Saturday championship series after fighting three times on STRIKEFORCE Challengers. “I knew I hurt him but wasn’t sure if he was faking or not so I had to be patient.

“Strikeforce Challengers prepared me for this, and it is a tremendous win. But I really expected it to go a lot longer.’’

Saturday’s thrilling event will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL
Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHO2

The telecast also will be available On Demand beginning Tuesday, Oct. 12, and running through Oct. 25.

Mauro Ranallo called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich serrving as expert analysts.

In Saturday’s non-televised professional results: James Terry (8-2), San Jose, unanimous decision (39-27, 30-27 and 30-26) over David Marshall (8-2), Sacramento, at 170 pounds; Josh McDonald (8-4), Concord, Calif., unanimous decision (29-28 three times) over Ron Keslar (5-3), San Jose, at 180 pounds; and Jean Bouscal (3-2), Dublin, Calif., submitted (arm-triangle choke) Luis Mendoza (0-1), San Jose, at 3:00 of first round at 155 pounds.

UPCOMING STRIKEFORCE EVENTS ON SHOWTIME: “Relentless” Roger Bowling (8-0), of Columbus, Ohio, opposes “Vicious” Bobby Voelker Voelker (22-8), of Kansas City, Kan in a rematch of welterweights on STRIKEFORCE Challengers at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT), on Friday, Oct. 22. In other bouts: Fresno resident Billy Evangelista (10-0, 1 NC), faces Waachiim “Native Warrior’’ Spiritwolf (8-6-1), of San Diego, Calif., in a 165-pound catch weight bout, heavyweight star and Madera, Calif. native Lavar “Big” Johnson takes on Virgil “RezDog” Zwicker (8-1), who lives on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation near San Diego, and world-ranked Shana “Rock Solid’’ Olsen (4-0), of Diluth, Minn., takes on Canadian Muay Thai Champ Julia “The Jewel” Budd (pro debut), of Sechelt, British Columbia, in women’s bout at 145 pounds.

STRIKEFORCE Challengers will be in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 19 (11 p.m. ET/PT). In the main event, lightweight star and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) will take on streaking Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3) of Cincinnati at the Jackson Convention Complex).

MMA legend Dan Henderson will face former STRIKEFORCE World Champion “Babalu” Sobral when STRIKEFORCE returns to St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Scottrade Center (10 p.m. ET/PT). In featured bouts, Paul “Semtex’’ Daley (25-9-2) of Nottingham, England, meets Scott “Hands Of Steel’ Smith (17-7, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Calif., in a welterweight match, “Ruthless “Robbie” Lawler (17-6, 1 NC) of Elk Grove, Ill., meets 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist Matt Lindland (22-7) of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight scrap and football legend and unbeaten MMA fighter Herschel Walker (1-0) will meet an opponent to be announced and St. Louis native Jesse Finney will face a foe to be determined.

For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

ONG BAK 3 POSTER AND PREVIEW

Posted on | October 11, 2010 | No Comments

Martial arts legend Tony Jaa writes, directs, produces and stars in ONG BAK 3, the third and final installment in one of the most beloved action series of all time.

Picking up at the cliffhanger ending where Ong Bak 2 leaves off, Jaa ramps up the epic supernatural elements of the previous film, while still maintaining the trademark bone-crunching action that the series is known for. This time he must face his ultimate enemy: a fierce supernatural warrior named “Demon Crow,” played by fellow martial arts sensation Dan Chupong (Dynamite Warrior).

Eagerly anticipated by martial arts aficionados for some time, the matchup of Jaa and Chupong is explosive.

ONG BAK 3 premieres On Demand, Apple iTunes, Xbox Live, Playstation, Amazon and Vudu December 3rd ;in theaters January 14th!

For more information please visit: http://ongbak3film.com/
Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ongbak3movie

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SPROTT EYES BIG TITLES AFTER PRIZEFIGHTER VICTORY

Posted on | October 9, 2010 | No Comments

Michael defeats Matt Skelton at third attempt to lift the trophy

Michael Sprott has major titles in his sights after he beat Matt Skelton to win Prizefighter Heavyweights IV at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

It was a huge night for the Reading fighter as he put two previous defeats to Skelton and a European title defeat to Audley Harrison behind him to move his name up towards the top of the queue of British heavyweight fighters.

“There’s no feeling like it – my career has been like a rollercoaster but after the Audley fight I knew there was something else out there for me, something big,” said Sprott. “All the hard work I’ve put in has paid off tonight so let’s see what comes next.

“It could be a European title shot or maybe the World title, perhaps something with David Haye or the Klitschko’s, I don’t know. Harrison and Martin Rogan have gone on to do big things after winning Prizefighter so let’s see.”

Sprott looked ominous as he fought Danny Hughes in the fourth quarter-final of the night and recorded a comprehensive victory. Hughes came into Prizefighter with plenty of pedigree in the event having reached the semi-finals in the last Heavyweights outing and able to claim the quickest knockout in Prizefighter history – but Sprott had too much for him and literally smelt blood after an accidental clash of heads led to a nasty cut for Hughes, closing the book on the Sunderland fighter with plenty to spare.

The 35 year-old showed a similar level of command in his semi-final against Shane McPhilbin, the Nottingham fighter with just three fights to his name who was full of confidence after stopping Declan Timlin in the second round of their quarter-final.

McPhilbin couldn’t live with Sprott though, who continued to grow into the night and all three judges scored the contest 30-27 to Sprott. The final was a tense affair and the split decision only added to the drama for the sold-out event, but Sprott’s work all night was more clinical than those he faced and in the end it was good enough to win the title and £32,000 winner’s cheque.

“I knew it was a close fight but I thought I nicked it and now I’m just so excited about the future,” said Sprott – trained by Jim Evans, who makes it back-to-back Prizefighter winners after Patrick Mendy won the Super-Middleweights event. “I was disappointed after the Harrison fight – I was unlucky to get caught by Audley because I was well ahead on points before then. So I think I deserve a big shot and this makes up for that defeat.”

For 43 year-old Skelton, the final was one step too far after a gruelling semi-final against Kevin McBride where he was caught by a right hook from the Irishman that knocked him to the ground but the referee did not administer a count and Skelton composed himself to edge the contest before going onto lose the final to his old foe.

“I’ll sit down and think about what I’m going to do next,” said Skelton. “I stood off him too much in the final and I think we both knew we had to go for it in the last round – I thought I’d done enough but it wasn’t to be. But good luck to him, Michael’s a great guy and I’ve always enjoyed our fights, even if tonight’s result wasn’t the one I wanted.”

Skelton kicked off the evening against Ali Adams and his wealth of experience showed as he took command of the fight in the first round and a flurry of punches at the beginning of the second all but ended the hopes of Adams.

McBride saw off Franklin Egobi via a split decision in a keenly fought second quarter-final before rookie McPhilbin won new fans as he stopped Declan Timlin in the second round of their third quarter-final to face Sprott in the semi, dominating the unbeaten Irishman in the opening round then knocking him to the floor early in the second before the referee stopped the fight.

RESULTS:

Quarter-finals
Matt Skelton beat Ali Adams – Unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28
Kevin McBride beat Franklin Egobi – Split decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Shane McPhilbin beat Declan Timlin – referee stopped fight in second round
Michael Sprott beat Danny Hughes – Unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-27

Semi-finals
Matt Skelton beat Kevin McBride – Unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Michael Sprott beat Shane McPhilbin – Unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-27

Final
Michael Sprott beat Matt Skelton – Split decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

San Diego’s Chris Chatman KO’s Riverside’s Alberto Herrera

Posted on | October 9, 2010 | No Comments

By David A. Avila

ONTARIO-San Diego’s Chris Chatman caught Riverside’s Alberto Herrera early with two first round knockdowns but needed three more rounds to complete the win on Friday.

“He was very adaptable,” said Chatman.

Herrera was undefeated and the hometown fighter but Chatman took that away early at the Doubletree Hotel with his quickness and strength as a southpaw. The crowd got their money’s worth anyway.

Chatman (8-1, 4 KOs) caught Herrera (7-1-1, 5 KOs) with some brutal left hands that shook him up early in the first round. The Riverside welterweight tried to fight his way out but only ran into more trouble against the clever southpaw who dropped him with a counter left. Herrera got up. When the fight resumed Herrera tried to fight off Chatman and ran into another big left hand and was dropped again. This time he struggled to get up but did.

From the outside Herrera was out-gunned so he took the fight to close quarters and found more success inside. But still Chatman’s movement and slips enabled him to avoid Herrera’s biggest punches in the second round.

Though both worked each other in close quarters Herrera’s best round was the third round when a right uppercut found the mark. Chatman brushed it off and kept moving his head side to side and changing his proximity. Herrera kept countering looking for that big punch. It never came for the Riverside fighter.

The fourth round saw Chatman time a perfect left hand counter that wobbled Herrera’s head and legs. Though he did not go down referee Ray Corona jumped in to stop the fight. It was a good stoppage at 2:47 of the fourth round.

“I saw that he fought that Mexican style with no angles,” said Chatman. “He didn’t feint, he was right there but he fought like a warrior. I thank my old trainer Pepe Morales for teaching me how to fight that style. He knew I would be fighting a lot of Mexican fighters.”

Other bouts

Downey’s hard-hitting Chris Rizo (6-0-1, 3 KOs) had been knocking out guys but against Riverside’s Alex Viramontes (9-7, 3 KOs), who was returning to the ring after a two year absence, he had to fight more strategically. In the first three rounds both fighters fought evenly with the southpaw Rizo working the body while Viramontes countered to the head and body. In the fifth round the Riverside fighter seemed to tire as Rizo continued to move in carefully with combinations. The sixth and final round saw Rizo catch Viramontes with a left cross that staggered the gritty fighter. From there on it was Rizo stalking the more experienced Viramontes who used his experience to survive the round. All three judges scored it 60-54 for Rizo but it seemed much closer in the first three rounds of the junior welterweight battle.

Coming off a tremendous war in his last outing Oscar “El Terrible” Andrade (3-0, 3 KOs( went left hand crazy again. This time Federico Martinez (0-1) was the opponent. A dozen left hands including one to the body dropped Martinez for good at 2:07 of the first round. It was Andrade’s second knockout victory in a row. In Andrade’s last fight at Club Nokia he put on one of the best fights at that venue in winning a close war with East L.A’s Ramon Valadez the stable mate of Frankie Gomez.

After a pensive first round Palmdale’s Donyil Livingston (2-0, 2 KOs) found the antidote for Steve Macomber’s experience with some well-placed counter right hands in the second round. Macomber (3-10-1) was floored with the right but survived. Livingston began waiting for openings for the counter right and found it at 2:55 of the second round and down went Macomber violently. Referee Ray Corona immediately stopped the fight.

In a lightweight bout featuring two fighters making pro debuts it was San Fernando’s Sergio Nunez (1-0) that proved the more efficient in stopping Washington’s Mike Cross (0-1). Nunez found the mark for his double left hooks and nearly dropped his opponent in the first round. Cross fought his way out of trouble and took a lot of punishment but continued to fight. The second round wasn’t very good for Cross who was finally dropped with that same double left hook. He beat the count and was caught with another left hook. He stumbled to the floor awkwardly and referee Ray Corona stopped the fight at 2:36 of the second round.

Daniel Roman needed only 43 seconds to win his pro debut with a vicious left hook to the belly that turned Cristian Cruz (2-2) toward the ropes in agony. He never hit the floor but could not fight on as Raul Caiz Sr. waved the fight over in the bantamweight fight.

Garcia KOs Arnaoutis

Posted on | October 9, 2010 | No Comments

Unbeaten welterweight Danny “Swift” Garcia (19-0, 13 KOs) scored a fourth round KO against “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis (22-7-1, 10 KOs) on Friday night at The Arena in South Philadelphia. Garcia dropped Arnaoutis at the end of round three and spectacularly finished him at 1:05 of round four. Garcia won the biggest fight of his career to date while the once promising Arnaoutis dropped his fourth straight.

In the co-feature, a first round knockdown gave lightweight Victor Vasquez (12-4-1, 6 KOs) the margin he needed to take a six round split deciusion over Bryne Green (5-4, 3 KOs). Scores were 57-56, 57-56 for Vasquez and 57-56 for Green.

Also super middleweight Bastie Samir moved to 5-0 with 5 KOs after a second round stoppage of Joseph Dunn (0-2).

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