Crolla Looks a Million Dollars in Victory Over Limond

By Tom Gray at Ringside

Anthony Crolla retained his British lightweight title with a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision over Willie Limond at the Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Motherwell on Friday night. Official scores were 120-108, 120-108 and 120-109.

The Manchester star had it all his own way from the start as he cut off the ring and fired hard right hands to the body of the former Commonwealth champion. The Glasgow man got his jab going but the superior work was coming from the fighter known as “Million Dollar” Crolla.

The champion made his first real statement in the second round when a bursting right hand shook Limond to his boots. Crolla followed with heavy artillery but Limond, who is renowned for his ring smarts, managed to find an escape route.

Crolla’s class and variety continued to befuddle Limond in the third and fourth as he was now landing repeatedly with power shots to the mid-section. The 25 year old champion was fighting to win whereas Limond was simply using his skills to stay alive.

In the seventh round this reporter found himself in the dark – literally. An issue with a generator switched off all the lights in the arena and they stayed off for a full two minutes. That was something new but the fight was more of the same as Crolla continued to land to head and body.

The tenth was a terrible round for the Scot, so much so that this reporter scored the session 10-8 in favor of Crolla. Limond was butchered to the body before a right uppercut and a left hook burst his nose violently. There was virtually nothing coming back now and only the challenger’s tremendous courage kept him in the game.

Determined to the end, Limond fought back furiously in the eleventh, opening up with his most impressive combination of the fight. In return, Crolla tucked up nicely, bided his time, and unloaded with a furious barrage of his own, which had the 32 year old struggling to find his equilibrium.

It was Crolla’s first completed twelve rounder and he closed out well showing terrific fitness and athleticism in an impressive first defense. Joe Gallagher, who trains Crolla, sings this fighter’s praises and it’s easy to see why.

Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla has a bright future.

Light Middleweights

Matthew Hall (11st) won a unanimous decision over Paisley’s Kris Carslaw (11st) in a brutal British title eliminator.  Scores were 96-94, 96-94 and 97-95.

The Scot picked his punches well throughout the ten rounder but Hall’s power and aggression forced him to work at a frightening pace.  The action got bloody, in the middle rounds, when Carslaw suffered injuries to both nose and mouth, as the Manchester slugger’s work intensified.

Hall was able to walk through Carslaw, who is not known as a big puncher, and the damage was evident at the end.  The Paisley man was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw and a possible fracture to his left hand.

Hall will most likely meet Prince Arron, at the beginning of 2012, in a British title collision.

Light Middleweight

John Thain (11st 5lbs) impressed the crowd and the media in a comfortable decision win over against Steve Spence (11st 9lbs).  The Edinburgh lad diversified his jab to head and body and shined with some meaningful right uppercuts and left hooks to the body.  Spence was game but outclassed and lost every session to his quicker and infinitely more talented opponent.  Official score was 40-36.

Middleweights

David Brophy (11st 9lbs) outpointed Danny Brown over four three minute rounds.  The Caldercruix man needed one session to come to grips with the southpaw stance but got classier as the fight progressed.  Brophy was very adept at moving his head and countering, to the point where Brown was becoming reluctant to throw.  Nice left hooks and right hands found the mark as Brophy applied the necessary pressure to win every round.  Official score was 40-36.

Cruiserweights

Edinburgh’s Stephen Simmons (14st 8lbs) defeated John Anthony (14st 1lb) over six three minute rounds in his third straight win.  The former Commonwealth bronze medalist worked behind an educated left jab and followed with brisk power shots when his opponent’s back touched the ropes.  Simmons, inactive since March, will have been very glad to get the rounds in and trainer, Billy Nelson, predicts big things from his charge.  Official score was 60-55.

Super Featherweights

Glasgow’s Michael Roberts (9st 7lbs) had a severe case of déjà vu, when he faced off against Dan Naylor (9st 6lbs) for the second straight time in two weeks.  The bout was identical to the first go round with Roberts’ quality and pedigree keeping him a step ahead.  Naylor did well in the first stanza but was nailed with sharp shots for the remainder of the four rounder which was scored 40-37 in favor of Roberts.  The 24 year old improves to 6-0 and continues to impress.

Welterweights

Gary McMillan (10st 10lbs) was made to work against Peter McDonagh (10st 5lbs) to secure victory by the narrowest of margins.  McMillan, from Edinburgh, was pressured throughout the contest and just managed to squeeze through with the classier work.  McDonagh landed some quality shots of his own and was bitterly disappointed with the result which went against him 58-57.  McMillan, as he had in a losing effort to Kevin McIntyre, switched off in spots and it almost cost him.

Super Bantamweights

Jonathan Slowey, from Glasgow, hunted down Delroy Spencer over four three minute rounds and was in command from start to finish.  Spencer was on the back foot throughout as southpaw Slowey closed the gap and scored with nice right hooks and straight left hands down the centre.  The official score was 40-36.

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