Tag Archives: UK
Italy’s Nadia Flalhi Challenges UK’s Hollie Towl For European Honours Exclusively Live on FITE this Sunday Feb 13th
BELLATOR MMA KONDIGT BELANGRIJKE NIEUWE UK BROADCAST DEAL MET BBC AAN
Nieuwe deal ziet 2022 Europese evenementen worden live uitgezonden op het nieuwe uitzendkanaal BBC Three en evenementen in de VS worden live uitgezonden op BBC iPlayer
London, Verenigd Koninkrijk- Toonaangevende mixed martial arts-promotie BELLATOR MMA heeft vandaag een opwindende nieuwe samenwerking met BBC Sport aangekondigd, waardoor evenementen van buiten Amerika live worden uitgezonden op het onlangs gelanceerde BBC Three-kanaal en BBC iPlayer.
Door de baanbrekende uitzendovereenkomst wordt BELLATOR MMA een van de hoofdbestanddelen van het nieuwe kanaal. BBC Three en BBC iPlayer zullen live uitzendingen hebben van BELLATOR-evenementen die overal buiten de VS plaatsvinden 2022 terwijl de Amerikaanse evenementen van de promotie beschikbaar zijn om live te bekijken op BBC iPlayer.
De deal vertegenwoordigt een toezegging van de BBC om alle BELLATOR-evenementen live op haar platforms te blijven vertonen 2022 na de enorm succesvolle samenwerking van de promotie met de omroep in 2021. BELLATOR nieuws, functies en resultaten zullen ook regelmatig te zien zijn op de digitale platforms van BBC Sport, zoals de BBC Sport-website en -app.
BELLATOR MMA is de thuisbasis van enkele van de meest vermakelijke en bekwame mixed martial-artiesten ter wereld, waaronder Ryan Bader, AJ McKee, Gegard Mousasi, Kris “Cyborg," Yaroslav Amosov en de eigen Michael "Venom" -pagina van Londen.
De BBC Three tie-up begint in stijl met een triple-header van spannende Europese kaarten, te beginnen met de langverwachte terugkeer van BELLATOR naar de 3Arena in Dublin op vrijdag, Februari 25. De kaart toont een middengewicht titelgevecht tussen MMA-legende Gegard Mousasi en de ongeslagen Austin Vanderford.
Na Dublin is er vrijdag weer een grote avond in Parijs, Mei 6, terwijl BELLATOR zwaargewicht wereldkampioen Ryan Bader zijn titel verdedigt tegen de iconische Franse mixed martial artist Cheick Kongo. De actie schreef in de hoofdstad geschiedenis 2020 door de eerste grote MMA-promotie te worden die een evenement in Frankrijk organiseert, wat ook de eerste keer was dat een MMA-evenement live op de BBC werd vertoond.
Als afsluiting van de eerste drie grote Europese evenementen, live op BBC Three, keert BELLATOR vrijdag terug naar Londen, Mei 13, met een ander wereldtitelgevecht bovenaan de rekening. Na een elektrische show in Londen in oktober, de Britse Michael "Venom" Page neemt het op tegen de ongeslagen kampioen weltergewicht, Yaroslav Amosov, aangezien hij ernaar streeft om slechts de tweede Britse BELLATOR MMA-kampioen te worden.
Hoofd van BELLATOR MMA Europa, David Groen, zei: “We zijn verheugd om onze relatie met de BBC te vernieuwen en op BBC Three te zijn. We hebben genoten van een ongelooflijk succesvol eerste jaar in samenwerking met de omroep en we kijken ernaar uit om miljoenen meer Britse huizen te bereiken als onderdeel van een opwindend nieuw kanaal. We hebben ongelooflijk hard gewerkt om live-actie van deze geweldige sport naar zoveel mogelijk mensen in het VK te brengen, en dit is weer een mijlpaal op die reis.”
Voorzitter van BELLATOR MMA, Scott Coker, toegevoegd: "Ik ben zo enthousiast over de aanhoudende groei van MMA in het VK en verheugd dat we de steun van de BBC zullen blijven genieten door onze evenementen live te brengen voor bestaande Britse fans en een nieuw publiek in 2022."
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Over BELLATOR
BELLATOR MMA is een toonaangevende wereldwijde mixed martial arts-organisatie met veel van de beste vechters ter wereld. Onder leiding van veteraan strijd promotor Scott Coker, BELLATOR-evenementen vinden plaats in grote steden over de hele wereld en zijn in de loop van de tijd op televisie te zien 160 landen voor een beschikbaar publiek van meer dan een miljard mensen. In de Verenigde Staten, BELLATOR is te zien op SHOWTIME. BELLATOR bestaat uit een uitvoerend team dat bestaat uit topprofessionals in de televisieproductie, live-evenement orkestratie, vechter ontwikkeling / relaties, venue inkoop, sponsoring creatie / ontwikkeling, internationale licentie, verkoop, adverteren, publiciteit en provisie relaties. BELLATOR is gevestigd in Hollywood, Calif. en eigendom van entertainmentgigant ViacomCBS, de thuisbasis van 's werelds grootste entertainment merken die verbinding met het publiek door middel van boeiende content via televisie, film, online en mobiele platforms.
Indian Star Neeraj Goyat, who was set to fight Amir Khan in 2019 makes his UK Debut in Aberdeen – WBC Asia Champion Neeraj Goyat Co-Headlines Let Battle Commence IV on the 29th May – Live on FITE TV
DE VOLGENDE BOKSEN-SUPERSTAR VAN HET VK, ONVERSLAGDE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT SHABAZ ‘THE MAVERICK’ MASOUD, TEKENS ALS AMBASSADEUR VAN HET ATLEETMERK VOOR HERSENEN PURE CBD
TWEE LIVE TV-EVENEMENTEN UIT SCHOTLAND GEPLAND VOOR AUGUSTUS EXCLUSIEF LIVE OP FITE TV
Nathan Beattie vs Milton Arauz kopt op 1 augustus en 6 tijd Wereldkampioen Lee McAllister vs Edwin Palacios op 15 augustus
Na het succes van de inaugurele LET BATTLE COMMENCE, in samenwerking met PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA & NEON ENERGY DRINK, dat afgelopen weekend plaatsvond in het Northern Hotel in Aberdeen, promotor Lee Mcallister heeft nog twee evenementen in de serie aangekondigd die live en exclusief op FITE TV worden uitgezonden op zaterdag 1 augustus en zaterdag 15 augustus 2020.
Op 18 juli keken de fans van de pugilistische kunsten over de hele wereld LET BATTLE COMMENCE aan 1 op FITE TV werden getrakteerd op het spektakel van de terugkeer naar de strijd door Lineal World Boxing Organization (WBO) Wereldkampioen vedergewicht Scott Harrison, die de Professional Boxing Council tegenkwam en stopte (PBC) Internationaal kampioen Paul Peers in een niet-kampioenschap zes ronder.
Voorafgaand aan Harrison-Peers keken de afgestemde fans naar een ongelooflijke Battle Royale tussen 10 tijd Kick Boxing Wereldkampioen Caitlin Foran, die haar professionele boksdebuut maakte, en Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Internationaal bronskampioen Jaime Bates, die als late vervanger tussenbeide kwam na de oorspronkelijke tegenstander Carly Mackenzie brak vorig weekend twee tenen bij een rijongeval. Na zes ongelooflijk nauw gevochten rondes behaalde Foran de overwinning door een slot 58-56 punten tally.
Het derde gevecht van de nacht was een fantastische actie-oorlog tussen de ongeslagen Lewis Mulberry en de Nicaraguaanse Johnson Tellez. Ik weet zeker dat degenen die op tv keken net zo in de ban waren van de actie als ikzelf, De ringnaam van Mulberry is 'Machinegeweer' en geloof me, dat is een toepasselijke naam, de 19 jaar oud doorbrak het lichaam van zijn veel meer ervaren tegenstander met snel en krachtig links en rechten in een mega snel tempo. Na zes sprankelende actieronden, De scorekaart van scheidsrechter Edward Law is gelezen 60-54 in het voordeel van de tienersensatie Lewis Mulberry.
Voorafgaand aan Adam Stewart van Mulberry-Tellez Perth (1-0-0) keerde terug naar de ring tegen Alexander Zeledon, de late vervanger van Nicaragua, na een blessure opgelopen door de oorspronkelijke tegenstander Liverpool's Steve Sunners (4-0-0). Eerder dit jaar versloeg Zeledon de Dan Booth van Manchester (4-1-0), dus geen gemakkelijke tegenstander, ongeacht zijn negatieve record, voor 25 -jarige Stewart die na een sabbatical van drie jaar terugkeerde naar de strijd.
Wat een geweldig gevecht, beide hoofdrolspelers gingen bijna vier rondes met een hamer en een tang voordat Stewart's macht pas laat in de vierde ronde in het spel kwam. Met rond 25 Een paar seconden van de resterende ronde vuurde Stewart een enorme Exocet af om de Nicaragua naar het dek te sturen, Zeledon had duidelijk pijn toen hij tevergeefs probeerde overeind te komen. Officiële tijd van stilstand 2 minuten en 40 seconden van de vierde ronde.
Het openingsgevecht van de nacht zien 18 -jarige Zwaargewicht Liam Allan uit Aberdeen maakt zijn professionele debuut tegen Puerto Ricaanse Jose F Leon. Krakende openingsronde, maar in de tweede volwassen benadering van Allan, dat verloochende zijn jonge jaren, kwam echt in het spel.
Naarmate het tweede couplet vorderde, Allan werkte achter zijn geweldige prik om een aantal goede openingen te maken, die hij zonder een tweede gedachte nam. Ongeveer halverwege de tweede ronde stelde een dergelijke opening de jongere in staat om te scheuren met een enorm schot dat Leon naar het dek stuurde. Leon telde en het boksen werd hervat, dan met rond 30 seconden van de resterende ronde creëerde Allan opnieuw een opening en liet hij opnieuw scheuren en landde een grote kans om de Zuid-Amerikaan voor de tweede keer naar het canvas te sturen, de stoere Puerto Ricaanse probeerde weer overeind te komen, maar slaagde er niet in om te tellen, officiële tijd van de onderbreking was 2 minuten en 40 seconden.
Het eerste evenement in augustus, LAAT DE STRIJD BEGINNEN II, in samenwerking met PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA en NEON ENERGY DRINK, vindt plaats in het Northern Hotel in Aberdeen en wordt live en exclusief uitgezonden door FITE TV op zaterdag 1 AUGUSTUS 2020.
De line-up voor 1 augustus is:
1) Lichtgewicht
PBC & WBU Internationaal kampioen Nathan Beattie (10-4-0) heeft een zware nacht voor de boeg, als hij met Nicaraguaans Milton Arauz de ring in stapt (10-3-1)
2) Super vlieggewicht
Een echt overheerlijke wedstrijd ziet PBC International Bronze Champion Nicola Hopewell oog in oog staan met opwindende Tasha Boyes uit York, die zal maken van haar professionele debuut.
3) Middengewicht
Scott Mcintyre uit Liverpool (4-1-0) neemt het op tegen de serieus zware Nicaraguaanse Wilmer Gonzalez (21-18-1), die maar een paar vechtpartijen KOd tegen een zekere Britse WBF Europees en Internationaal Kampioen.
4) Super vedergewicht
Kevin Traynor van Denny (2-0-0) zal op zijn best moeten zijn als hij het opneemt tegen de opwindende Griekse strijder Paris Stavropoulos (2-1-0), die zijn eerste optreden in het VK maakt.
5) Zwaargewicht
Het laatste gevecht van de nacht zal debutant tegen debutant plaatsen terwijl Craig Dick het opneemt tegen Michael Bassett, beide grote jongens hebben aangegeven op 1 augustus een grote indruk te willen maken.
De tweede van de evenementen in augustus, LAAT DE STRIJD BEGINNEN III, in samenwerking met PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA en NEON ENERGY DRINK vindt plaats in het Northern Hotel in Aberdeen en wordt exclusief live uitgezonden op FITE TV op zaterdag 15 AUGUSTUS 2020.
De line-up voor 15 augustus is:
1) Middengewicht
Zes keer, Wereldkampioen in vijf divisies, en promotor van de serie LET BATTLE COMMENCE, Lee McAllister vervangt Brandon Borg van Malta en neemt het op tegen Gerona, De in Spanje gevestigde Nicaraguaan Edwin Palacios in de strijd, zeker een veel hardere strijd voor Palacios dan wat hij verwachtte, maar de macho Zuid-Amerikaan heeft verklaard dat hij de uitdaging aankan en vuurwerk verwacht.
2) Vedergewicht
Sensationele tiener voormalig amateurster Hollie Towl maakt haar professionele debuut tegen de even sensationele World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai Wereldkampioen Natacha De Almeida uit Zwitserland, die ook haar professionele boksdebuut zal maken.
3) Middengewicht
Nathan Russo tegen Wilmer Gonzalez – deze langverwachte clash of the Big Bangers was oorspronkelijk gepland voor de eerste LET BATTLE COMMENCE-show in de serie, maar moest worden verplaatst vanwege een lichte blessure van Russo. Dit wordt ongetwijfeld een zeer spannende actie-actie, hoe lang het zal duren, is een gok, zoals Russo tot nu toe elk gevecht met KNOCKOUT heeft gewonnen en Gonzalez 14 KOs op zijn record, waaronder een enorme overstuur KO overwinning op een bepaalde World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Europees en internationaal kampioen vorig jaar.
4) Weltergewicht
In plaats van de verwachte rematch tegen Dean Porter, Jack Jones van Leeds, zal het nu opnemen tegen de Nicaraguaanse harde man Michael Isaac Carrero, nadat de oorspronkelijke tegenstander Porter zich moest terugtrekken.
5) Bantamgewicht
Lokale jongen Kenny Allan staat tegenover Chadwell Heath, Surrey’s Jordan Smith in de openingswedstrijd van de avond, Allan zal zijn tweede overwinning in zijn jonge carrière veiligstellen, terwijl Smith zal proberen de eerste overwinning op zijn palmares te behalen op dit net zijn derde pro-uitje.
Nathan Beattie versus Milton Arauz koppen LAAT DE SLAG BEGINNEN II, in samenwerking met PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA en NEON ENERGY DRINK, vindt plaats in het Northern Hotel in Aberdeen en wordt live en exclusief uitgezonden door FITE TV op zaterdag 1 AUGUSTUS 2020.
LAAT BATTLE BEGIN II PPV op 1 augustus ($4.99 ongeveer £ 4) ga naarhttps://www.fite.tv/watch/let-battle-commence-beattie-arauz/2p7rq/
Lee Mcallister versus Edwin Palacios koppen LAAT DE SLAG BEGINNEN III, in samenwerking met PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA en NEON ENERGY DRINK en zal plaatsvinden in het Northern Hotel in Aberdeen en exclusief live worden uitgezonden op FITE TV op zaterdag 15 AUGUSTUS 2020.
LAAT DE STRIJD BEGINNEN III PPV ($4.99 ongeveer £ 4) is vanaf woensdag 29 juli beschikbaar op FITE TV
DICHT EN PERSOONLIJK MET 10 TIME WORLD KICKBOXING KAMPIOEN CAITLIN VOORUIT OP HAAR PRO BOXING DEBUT
Stars from Boxing & Football Turning Out in Force For Kiyan Prince Foundation Charity Boxing Event ‘Jabbing Not Stabbing’ on 21st December
Football and Boxing Stars, such as Harry Redknapp, Peter Crouch, Peter Odemwingie, Les Ferdinand and Jimmy Bullard from Football and WBO Inter-Continental Champion Anthony Yarde and WBF International & European Champion Tommy Jacobs from Professional Boxing have pledged their support for the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) Charity event that takes place at the London Irish Centre in Camden in London on Saturday 21st December
The above named stars plus many more will be attending the Charity Boxing event to raise funds for the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF), which is hosted by former WBO & IBF Inter-Continental and MBC International Champion and KPF founder Dr Mark Prince OBE.
The event will feature five amateur contests, featuring local boxers and one professional bout, featuring Robert Duran, son of legendary Panamanian four division World Champion Roberto Duran.
In addition to the boxing action Slim the Comedian will entertain the crowd with a set and well as a memorabilia auction (Football and Boxing)
Tickets, kost 30 pond (Standard Zittend) and £40 (Eerste rang) for ‘Jabbing not Stabbing’ that takes place at the London Irish Centre, Camden Square, Camden, London NW1 9XB on Saturday 21st December 2019 are now available on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com
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About The Kiyan Prince Foundation:
The Kiyan Prince Foundation was established in 2008 in memory of Kiyan Prince, Dr Prince’s fifteen-year-old son and a talented footballer who was stabbed in the heart, whilst trying to break up a fight, outside his school gates. This devastating tragedy marked the beginning of a journey which has not only transformed Dr Prince’s life but also equipped him with the knowledge and skills to support families and help prevent similar cases. In this process, he has had to defeat two of life’s toughest challenges – anger and revenge, find the strength to forgive and the commitment to substitute anger with positive life skills.
About Kiyan Prince:
Kiyan Prince was the first son born to Mark Prince and Tracy Cumberbatch on 25th November 1990.
He was an outgoing and well loved young man who got along with everybody. Teachers, fellow pupils, Queens Park Rangers football team… in fact anyone who came into contact with Kiyan counted it a privilege to have done so.
On May 18th 2006 Kiyan’s life came to a tragic, untimely and unnecessary end. The loving nature, by which he was known, was what made him step in and defend his friend who was being picked on by another youth.
The incident took place outside the gates of his school, the London Academy, located in Edgware North London. Kiyan attempted to resolve the situation in the most peaceable way by directly challenging the aggressor.
The ‘killer’, 16 year old Hannad Hasan, felt that Kiyan had disrespected him because he stood up to him. He then turned and callously killed Kiyan – plunging a knife straight into his chest. Kiyan died of a single, but fatal, stab wound to his heart.
Kiyan, who played for Queens Park Rangers Under-16’s football team. He was dubbed ‘The Bullet’ because of his speed and he was hailed as the next Wayne Rooney… tipped to play for England.
Kiyan was a beautiful, thoughtful, kind and considerate young man. . How he lived was reflected in the way he died… in probably the last words he ever spoke…
Even though he must have been very scared and in pain… in dying he still represented the life he lived. His heart was so full of love and empathy for others. In his final minutes his thoughts were, zelfs dan, still of others. As he lay bleeding he told his friends: “if these are my last words… tell my Mum I love her.”
About Mark Prince:
Dr Mark Prince is CEO and Founder of the Kiyan Prince Foundation, a charity borne out of pain, suffering and grief. Through a series of personal challenges (dakloos, drugs and alcohol abuse and criminal activity); triumphs and tragedy, the then known Mark Prince, developed a burning desire to support young people embroiled in a downward spiral of urban violence. The devastating tragedy of his son’s murder in 2006 further confirmed the importance of early intervention in a young person’s life in order to prevent what often seems like an inevitable journey into despair.
Education and Sport:
A significant part of the foundation’s work is to target school aged children and young people from primary through to secondary and tertiary education, through mentoring, life skills and training programmes. Being a professional boxer achieving titles such as the IBF and WBO Inter-continental Light-heavy weight Championship by (1997) and fighting for a world title in 1998, Dr Prince has invaluable skills and experiences that help in the development and transformation of young people’s lives for good. His autobiography The Prince of Peace written by Dr Prince and Paul Zanon is already a best seller.
Collaboration:
The Kiyan Prince Foundation is a project that has seen Dr Prince collaborate with a range of notable individuals, organisations, de media, government officials and celebrities to shine a light on the socio-economic issues impacting on young people and families nationally. He has been involved in the creation and the was the feature of the ITV documentary, “Put the Knives and Guns Down” screened on ITV London Tonight Special; panel member for The News of The World’s “Save Our Streets” campaign; keynote speaker at Metropolitan Police Operation Trident Program; and guest speaker at conferences such as, the NBCPA National Black Crown Prosecutors Association Annual Conference and the National Governor Prison Association Annual Conference.
Recognition and Vision:
In recognition of the significant contribution to the community and fight against knife crime, Dr Prince has received several well-deserved awards e.g. The Children’s Champion Award from Prime Minister Gordon Brown; an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Excel University; and recently in the Queen’s New Year Honours list (2019) to receive an OBE.
It is the foundation’s vision to obtain funding/raise the revenue to deliver#inspiringfuturechampions a campaign which involves delivering powerful messages to every school in London first, with inspirational speakers who are high level influencers amongst young people together with Dr Prince sharing with them how to utilise their strength of will, recognise their potential, individuality, purpose, how to value themselves, come back from adversity and the power of self-belief, which when understood all leads to young people steering clear of guns and knives which is a problem of the mind and not of the knife.
The Freeman Juggernaut Rolls On – Stops O’Reilly in Four
Liverpool’s unbeaten Middleweight prospect Martin Freeman made an emphatic statement on Saturday night, with his fourth round stoppage victory over Will O’Reilly at the Jubilee Sports Bank in his home city.
De 26 year old Liverpudlian exuded class throughout the contest, even when being forced onto the back foot by the ever moving forward all out attack tactics employed by O’Reilly, Freeman just adapted his tactics to counter and control the contest in sensational fashion.
The Liverpudlian’s power was the defining factor of the contest, especially in the fourth, when a massive right from Freeman shook O’Reilly to the core, forcing the Mancunian battler to stagger back onto the ropes and cover up just as the contest approached the minute mark of the round.
In an instant Freeman stepped forward and let rip with a scintillating bombardment of massive lefts and rights, O’Reilly covered up and absorbed the first couple of shots on the gloves and arm, but Freeman’s power and precise placement ensured that the Liverpudlian’s Exocets began to power their way through the Mancunian’s guard with little resistance, after a couple of particularly venomous head shots referee Chris Kelly stepped in and stopped the contest on the one minute and two second mark of the fourth round.
Following the fight Freeman said;
“I am really pleased with my performance from Saturday night.
“Yes it was a tough fight and my opponent not only took some of my best shots but he also gave some good punches too!
“I’m definitely glad I got some good rounds in too as I won my last two fights in the first round.”
Freeman’s gym mate Lee Cooper was also on the card and secured a shut out points victory over Kyle McNicholas.
Both Freeman and Cooper will be back in action on the next Kyle Gallagher promoted Victory Fight Club event at the Jubilee Sports Bank on 28th March 2020.
Decastro Sensationally Stops Castaneda in Five in Lincoln
Rapport: Gianluca Di Caro
Op zaterdagavond, at the Engine Room at Lincoln University, the local fans turned out in force to support local lad Nathan Decastro in his defence of the World Boxing Union (WBU) Super Middleweight World title he’s held since April as well as attempt to add the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Crown to his collection against late replacement Fernando Castaneda from Mexico.
Originally Decastro was due to face Nicaraguan Jose Varela, however on Wednesday Varela, who was in Spain at the time, was refused an exit visa by the Spanish Authorities when he arrived at Barcelona Airport for his flight to the United Kingdom, so was unable to make the trip to Lincoln.
The fight itself was quite a messy affair, due to Castaneda’s continual holding, following Decastro landing a vicious body shot early on in the first that clearly was affecting the Mexican, as each time Decastro came forward and let rip he’d grab hold to prevent further punishment to the body.
Rounds two and three were in similar vein although to be fair there was a bit more boxing, rather than wrestling, actie. Decastro worked the body of his foe whenever he got the opportunity, which wasn’t that often due to the Mexican’s tactics of hit and hold.
Round four was far more open following referee Lee Murtagh having stern words with Castaneda about the holding, so much so there were a few venomous exchanges that followed, however each time Decastro targeted the body Castaneda would still initially grab hold, so Decastro began firing exocets to the head.
Decastro clearly had enough of being frustrated by Castaneda’s tactics as the fifth stanza began, the Bardney man changed tactics slightly and began to go forward far more as well as quicker and land some serious shots in the first minute or so, Castaneda responded in kind but quite ineffectively due to his determination to protect his body from further punishment by keeping his distance.
About half way through the round Decastro backed the Mexican toward the rope and feigned a jab, causing Castaneda to raise his hands just enough to create an opening and let rip with a massive hook to the body that sent the Mexican to the canvas doubled up in pain.
Castaneda initially tried to rise, but immediately collapsed and writhed in pain, Referee Lee Murtagh immediately waived the fight off and summoned the doctor to the ring as Decastro and his team began their celebrations. Official time of stoppage one minute and thirty eight seconds of the fifth round.
Prior to Decastro-Castaneda see Sophie Varley in action against Jaime Bates for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) International Bronze Championship.
Have to say this was a cracking fight from start to finish, the two girls fought hard for the entire two minutes of every single round. Varley landing some seriously big shots, including one in the sixth that shook Bates to the core, her legs were gone but somehow she managed to not just stay on her feet but was savvy enough to give herself a few seconds to recover her composure by hanging out a jab to keep Varley at bay.
Each round was all action and seriously close, so much so that I couldn’t split them, score wise, on a few of the rounds and each to my mind had secured a couple of rounds and have to admit I thought that the result would be a draw, I was wrong (I’m clearly not Judge material) as the three experienced judges scorecards read; Adrian Thorne 57-59, James Ancliff 57-58 and Graeme Beauly 56-59 all in favour of Jaime Bates.
Prior to Varley-Bates was another cracking fight between Sheffield’s debuting Zac Lane and Nicaraguan Frederick Castro.
The clash in styles was what really made this fight, Castro has a distinct forward coming all out attack style, whilst Layne’s emulates the style of Prince Naseem, and boy oh boy the youngster made this style his own, dipping and swaying out of danger before throwing stinging counters each time the Nicaraguan attacked. Saying that I should stress Layne isn’t one dimensional at all, when needed he was more than happy to go toe-to-toe, letting rip with extremely fast and powerful lefts and rights.
It was great fight to watch, close and all action throughout. After four fantastic rounds Referee Lee Murtagh scored the contest 39-37 in favour of the Debuting Zac Layne, much to the annoyance of Castro and his corner who surrounded the referee disputing the score, which I fully understand as he was the most aggressive but have to say Layne neutralised the Mexican’s attacks with ease and his countering was sensational and to my view had done more than enough to secure the victory.
Prior to Layne versus Castro was another all action thriller, the time between two unbeaten fighters Sugar Atahasan from the Turkish Republic of Cyprus against Leeds’ Jack Jones.
Atahasan dominated the first stanza utilising his reach advantage to extremely good effect. However he didn’t have it all his own way especially as the fight progressed into the second as Jones patiently worked away fashioning openings before letting rip with big shots to the body and head of Atahasan.
Atahasan stepped up a gear and really went for it in the third, and as in the first dominated proceedings. Much of the same in the fourth, well until about midway through when Jones took advantage of a defensive error by Atahasan and landing a peach of a shot that sent the Turkish Cypriot to the canvas. Atahasan barely touched down and was on his feet in an instant and on the restart went in hard and fast though to the end of the round.
After four sensational rounds Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecard read 37-38 in favour of Jack Jones.
The fourth contest of the night pitted Orkney based Liverpudlian Paul Peers against Tanzania’s Amos Mwamakula in a four rounder.
Again what a fantastic all action war, Peers went in hard and fast and kept piling on the pressure with massive shots to body and head for the entire first round, Mwamakula is as clearly as tough as they come to withstand the intense powerful attacks from Peers.
The second was slightly less intense, as Peers elected to switch tactics slightly, slowing the pace and picking his shots. Much the same in the third, but in the fourth Peers stepped up the pace a little and as in the first targeted the seriously tough Tanzanian’s body.
After four excellent rounds of boxing Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecard read 40-36 in favour of Paul Peers.
Prior to Peers vs Mwamakula was a heavyweight contest between Barrow-in-Furness’ Lee Kellett and Lithuania’s Tomas Vaicickas.
Again this was a full on war, with both men going full out for much of the contest. Kellet’s performance was the best I’ve seen from him in quite a while, he looked confident and really was putting so much power behind his shots.
Vaicickas is as tough as they come and happily absorbed the big shots coming his way from the Barrow man before countering style. Whilst Kellet dominated the first coupe of rounds, Vaicickas came into his own in the third after he stepped the pace up.
The fourth was all Kellet though, so much so that as the fight entered the final minute the Lithuanian appeared to give up and just stand with his back to the ropes due to the pace Kellett had set and just absorb punches at will.
After four great rounds it was to Referee Lee Murtagh’s scorecard, which unsurprisingly read 39-36 in favour of Lee Kellett.
The second fight of the night pitted the Turkish Republic of Cyprus’ Metin Turunc against Puerto Rico’s Jose F Leon.
Turunc started hard and fast, throwing massive bombs at every opportunity and literally was battering Leon, who could barely find an opening to counter with so many big shots constantly coming his way.
The Puerto Rican’s corner were so concerned that around the minute mark of the first round his corner threw in the towel in an effort to save their man further punishment, however Referee Lee Murtagh just kicked the towel out and let the fight continue, which it did but not for long as Turunc landed another huge shot to send Leon down and out on the one minute and twenty seven second mark of the first round.
Please don’t get me wrong, yes it was all one way traffic, as seems to be the norm with Turunc, I’ve seen him fight before and know just how relentless he is, Leon tried his hardest to stay in the fight but was outclassed by the seriously tough and powerful Turkish Cypriot.
The opening fight of the night really set the tone for the whole evening, as I hope I’ve made clear earlier that all bar the main event and of course Turunc vs Leon, the fights were all closely fought Battle Royale’s of the highest level, well believe me the opening bout, between debuting Lewis Mulberry and Gerona, Spain based Nicaraguan Pablo Narvaez, was another level again, it was sensational.
Mulberry really went for it right from the opening bell and boxed sensationally, Narvaez is a talent so no surprise he was up for a battle and gave as good as he got in return, however things went slightly awry for the Nicaraguan in the first when he got caught by a peach of a shot and sent to the canvas – will say I’ve seen Narvaez in action a few times and this is the first time I’ve seen him down, so kudos to young Mulberry.
Round two see Narvaez being a little more defensively minded, albeit still happy to go toe-to-toe with the big punching youngster. Round three though see a reverse in fortunes as Narvaez really started to take a foothold of the proceedings, which enabled Mulberry to showcase his defensive talents and sensational countering. The fourth was an out and out war with both men going for it for the full three minutes. After four scintillating rounds of boxing Referee Lee Murtagh scored the contest 39-37 in favour of the debuting Lewis Mulberry.
I have to make Mulberry versus Narvaez the fight of the Night, it was magnificent, and also have to say Mulberry really impressed, he’s the real deal, he has all the tools in his chest to go all the way to the top in our beloved sport, I for one can’t wait to see him in action again that’s for sure.