By Andrew Wake at ringside: A big right hand in the opening 15 seconds of the fight ensured that Derby-based Jamaican Ovill McKenzie took home the Commonwealth light-heavyweight strap on Friday night.
Opponent Jeff Evans was always going to be an underdog, with just 10 pro fights on his ledger going in, but he was expected to at least get give a good account of himself.
McKenzie’s previous two attempts to regain the title he held briefly held between 2006 and 2007 had proved futile but he was determined to make no mistake this time around and came flying straight out of the blocks at the opening bell.
And he connected with a couple of weighty blows before a powerful right hook detonated on Evan’s chin, sending him crashing backwards and leaving him hanging over the bottom rope with his head bobbing.
For 31-year-old McKenzie the win will come as some form of redemption after feeling he was short changed in his first encounter with Liverpool’s Tony Bellew last year.
Within seconds of the fight’s finish whispers were already circulating around ringside that the Derby man’s next move could see him pitted against another Welshman in the shape of Enzo Maccarinelli.
The former WBO cruiserweight champion returns to action in his new 12st 7lbs weight class at Bethnal Green’s York Hall next Saturday night and, given his experience, will likely want to get into the title picture as soon as possible.
Finchley heavyweight Dereck Chisora eased his was back into winning ways with a routine six-round points win over Lithuanian import Remigijus Ziausys.
Chisora, fighting for the first time since his unbeaten record was snapped by Tyson Fury, whinged in the hooks early on but when it became apparent Ziausys was staying for the long haul, he decided to get some rounds under his belt.
In the end referee John Latham scored it a predictable 60 – 54.
Halifax’s Patrick Liam Walsh is on cloud nine tonight after scoring his latest win.
The Yorkshireman, who played international Rugby League for Ireland as a junior, earned a 79 – 74 mark over Michael Frontin from Howard Foster after eight rounds.
But the width of the scoring does not tell the real story of the fight. Frontin, a London-based Mauritian, gave Walsh puzzles to solve throughout and landed several times as the hometown fighter came charging forwards.
However, Walsh knuckled down and used to high work-rate to sting the visitor on multiple occasions with solid hooks to the head, much to the enjoyment of the 200 or so people he’d sold tickets to.
Tyrone Nurse took his slate to 20 – 0 (3 KOs) by outworking Ivan Godor impressively over six sessions.
Nurse, who is the son of well-known Huddersfield trainer Chris Aston, controlled the early going behind his jab before pressing forwards getting in good right crosses. At times he took shots he didn’t need to but never looked like by knocked off his stride.
And in the final round he even managed to send the Slovakian visitor to the canvas with a shot high on the head. In fairness, Godor was off balance and complained bitterly that he shouldn’t have been given a count by Mr Latham but it was certainly a punch and not his posture that sent him over.
In the end, the knockdown was academic as Nurse picked up a 60 – 53 verdict.
Hometown southpaw Scott Gladwin went over old ground in scoring a 39 – 37 points win over Sheffield’s tricky Anwar Alfadli.
Alfadli’s a typically schooled Ingle fighter and has that loose style that can make an awkward night’s work for any young prospect but Gladwin took to the task with gusto and boxed his way to victory in the same manner as he did when they met in July.
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Doncaster’s popular journeyman James Tucker is on a roll.
Until recently, wins were few and far between for the 26-year-old but after beating Shuzzy Hussain he’s riding on the crest of a three fight winning wave.
Hussain, a big local ticket seller, started the bout well behind his jab and made Tucker miss on several occasions as he attempted to land one punch at a time.
However, the tide turned mid-way through the second as Tucker began to push Hussain back and dig in shots to the torso.
And victory was finally sealed in the fourth and final round when Tucker absorbed a decent blow before detonating a combination upstairs that sent the home fighter to the ring apron.
Bravely Hussain clambered back to his feet but he looked groggy and Tucker pursued him around the perimeter of the ring, whinging in hooks to the head but he never found the blow to cause the stoppage and had to settle for a deserved 38 – 37 victory.
Bradford’s Eddie Meskry was left disappointed after having to share the spoils with Welshman Chuck Jones in another four round affair.
Meskry’s clever shot picking and elusive style had him in control of the first two rounds. Jones came back, though, in the third and from there until the last bell found success with a left to head. Mr Foster’s score of 38 – 38 was a fair one.
In the opener of this Wayne Carmichael/Frank Warren Promotion, local light-middleweight Richard Bitner came through a rough and tumble encounter with Lee Jevons over four-threes.
The size difference between the two men was quite staggering but Bitner managed to get inside his taller foe’s long arms and dig away to his ribcage. Jevons continued to press forwards and made things interesting, but it was Bitner landing the cleaner shots and his 39 – 38 margin was well deserved.
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