Platimum Kid Shines in Prizefighter Triumph

By Andrew Wake at ringside: Adil Anwar finds himself a richer man tonight after he took home both the coveted Prizefighter trophy and a cheque for £32,000.

The 24-year-old trickster from Leeds saw off three of the country’s best light-welterweights at Wolverhampton’s raucous Civic Hall and stamped his name on the domestic boxing map.

Prior to Saturday night’s action, the self-styled “Platinum Kid” had been shining on small hall shows in his home city but not really getting the recognition that a fighter with his talents truly deserved.

This tournament, due to it being the first time Anwar had boxed in front of a television audience, could be considered something of a coming out party for the stylish Yorkshireman.

Victory came by way of scoring a unanimous decision over fellow Tyke Tyrone Nurse.

Nurse, 22, had used a slippery style and sharp counters to punch his way to the final but found himself beaten at his own game by the tricky Leeds man.

Uncharacteristically Nurse went on to the front foot and although he did get off some decent shots he also found himself struggling to pin down an opponent which moved around more than a man on fire.

Anwar’s sharp jabs and back hand leads were the key and for much of the contest Nurse found himself being picked off.

Indeed, such was the eventual winner’s composure that he even executed a little Ali shuffle midway through the second round.

The third and final session proved to be Nurse’s best as he detonated a stinging overhand right but just before the final bell was about to toll Anwar whipped in a fast combination upstairs.

Judge John Keane had it 30-28, while Howard Foster and Victor Loughlin scored it 29-28 and 30-27 respectively.

Anwar is now plotting a match up with British champion Ashley Theophane, although a ten round eliminator with Lenny Daws has been mooted.

For Nurse, meanwhile, this represented his first professional loss in 22 outings but if anything his stature with the boxing fraternity should have been enhanced.

Prior to the tournament the biggest criticism aimed at the Huddersfield man was that he was yet to fight a real opponent in his four year long career. Now, he’s got two solid wins on his slate and has lost the tag of a man not prepared to take risks.

Semi Finals

Anwar’s place in the final was secured by scoring a shutout unanimous win over Liverpool’s John Watson.

Watson, a former standout amateur and recent British title challenger, tried to take the fight to the Yorkshireman but, like all in the competition, found himself hitting nothing but fresh air for most of the rounds.

Anwar’s lateral movement and ability to counter shots made things a frustrating time for the scouser and it came as no real surprise that all three judges saw it 30-27.

Nurse’s semi-final with local favourite Young Mutley was a much closer affair.

Mutley let have Nurse too much space in the opening round, allowing him to dictate the pace and snap in short left hands.

The second, however, saw things even back up as Mutley, a former British champion, cut off the ring better and got home several combinations.

With it resting on the last three minutes, Tyrone pushed his boxing skills into overdrive and shook the West Bromwich native with a left to the side of the head and he continued to do the better work until his hand was raised thanks to three scores of 29-28.

Quarter finals

Dean Harrison announced his retirement after John Watson blitzed him inside of one round.

Harrison, fighting in front of his hometown support, made a productive start and looked to pressure Watson onto the ropes. The success didn’t last long though as Dean soon found himself on the canvas looking up at the lights thanks to a neat right hand.

Not long after getting back to his feet, Harrison had his senses scrambled once more from a right hook to the temple. The Wolves man staggered backwards to his corner and when Watson laid siege with blistering attack referee John Keane moved in.

The time was 1.40

Adil Anwar’s toughest bout of the night was his first.

Former domestic ruler Barry Morrison proved a difficult opponent for the night’s eventual winner, landing with lefts when Anwar found himself with his backs to the ring strands.

But once more Anwar’s smoother movement and better shot picking saved the day. Judges scores were 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Tyrone Nurse’s passed through came  when his fight with Alfreton’s Dale Miles was stopped half way through the third round due to the Midlander sustaining a nasty cut above his right eye.

Nurse had took the opening by outboxing his cruder but bigger punching foe. The second however belonged to Miles as cut off the ring and well and detonated hooks into the Yorkshireman’s torso.

Still, with the fighters now being so close to each other head clashes were inevitable and despite clearing winning round two, Miles came out of it looking a little worse for wear thanks to a gash close to his left peeper.

The Shinfields (father and son team Mike and Jason) did a good job of patching that wound up between sessions, but disaster struck within the opening 30 seconds of that all-important third when another coming together of noggins cause the injury which brought about the fight’s end.