By Danny Winterbottom at ringside:
Emiliano Marsili 24-0-1(10) proved tougher than old Italian leather as he battered local favourite Derry Matthews 29-6-(15) into submission in seven blood soaked rounds in front of a partisan crowd at Liverpool’s Olympia last night, Friday January 20, claiming the vacant IBO lightweight title in the process.
Right from the off it was clear the man from Lazio was in no mood to appease the wishes of the baying locals as his awkward southpaw stance and hard backhand caused the upright Matthews no end of problems throughout.
In a cagey opener Matthews, 9st 8lbs 12oz, had a good look at the unbeaten Italian staying at range as he tried to find a home for his long jab, but Marsili 9st 8lbs 12oz, was using constant upper body movement to offset Matthews attempts to gain control of the action.
As both corners were giving their final words of advice before the start of round two, darkness descended on the Olympia as the lights illuminating the ring decided they had seen enough, the second time this has happened on a Boxnation broadcast.
With both fighters in neutral corners and cat calls from the crowd reverberating around the hall order was quickly resumed. The break in action didn’t seem to faze the Italian as he began to bring his backhand into play with hurtful accuracy, aiming at the chest of Matthews but connecting with his chin causing the Scouser to back off. Marsili, not a noted puncher, was visibly troubling Matthews every time he connected and was growing in confidence much to the delight of a small pocket of his increasingly noisy supporters. A solid right hand bloodied the nose of Matthews.
Having exchanged rounds ,the third saw better work from the home favourite as he used a nice one-two to back Marsili to the ropes before letting his hands go with a burst of eye catching punches that brought the crowd to its feet.
By the fourth Matthews face was a bloody mask of claret as he was peppered by the right hand of Marsili time and again. It was becoming apparent that Marsili, despite boasting an unbeaten record, was far better in the flesh than YouTube clips had lead people to belief and was coming on strongly. After four I had it level but with the impression the Italian visitor was the stronger man.
After words of encouragement from Oliver Harrison, Matthews began the fifth round stronger as he worked well off his jab, but the threat of Marsili’s right always loomed large. With his boxing now seemingly under control Matthews edged ahead in the contest for the first time on my card but was fighting with all his heart to stay with the marauding visitor.
With a more promising round under his belt, Matthews brave resistance began to falter in the sixth as Marsili came on strong, measuring his man for the damaging right that had been his honey punch all night. Matthews rallied with a flurry of his own but as the 28-year-old local languished on the ropes in his own corner; Marsili landed a sickening left hook to the ribs dropping Matthews heavily. Up at the count of eight but looking in trouble, the bell rang to give Matthews rest bite from more punishment.
Sensing victory was his for the taking Marsili jumped on Matthews at the start of round seven, punching him around the ring with heavy looking uppercuts doing the damage. In a brave last stand Derry fought fire with fire as they traded power shots but Marsili wasn’t to be denied. Under more sustained pressure referee Howard Foster stepped in after taking a long hard look at Matthews and waved it off to the delight of the Italian corner who rushed the ring in wild celebrations. Matthews lost for the sixth time, more worryingly all by knockout or stoppage, and will no doubt consider his future in the game. He told Boxnation after the fight he had respect for the new champion. “I thought I hurt him but he came back, he’s a warrior, my nose went in the first round but I’m a Scouser and I love fighting”. As for the new champion he has ambitions to fight the other belt holders in the division. “I am the champion of the world” said Marsili, “I want to defend the IBO and unify it with the other championships”
On the under card Joe Selkirk 8-0(5) increased his undefeated record stopping Ryan Toms 9-1-1(4) after five competitive rounds when Toms suffered a bad swelling to his right eye that started to affect his vision. 26-year-old Selkirk, a highly touted prospect, started slowly losing the first round but improved his accuracy throughout to close Toms eye and force the stoppage. Selkirk, after promotional difficulties and a change of trainer will be hoping 2012 is a more productive year.
In other action, super flyweight prospect Paul Butler 6-0(2) looked classy in taking an 80-72 point’s win over tough Bristol based South African Michael Ramabeletsa 6-8(3) over 8x3’s in a bout made at 8st 12lbs.
The former amateur standout from Ellesmere Port overcame a cut in round six to be one step ahead throughout in this well matched bout.
Other results: Tom Caurus W PTS 4 Robin Deakin, Jason Ball TKO 7 Ste Harkin (Vacant British Masters and Central Area light middleweight titles), Joe Tonks WPTS 4 Kristian Laight, Steve Spence D 4 Lyndon Newman
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