Sammy 'Free Smoke' McKay, 'The Black Pacquiao', steals show

Prince Patel and Martin Hillman nominally topped the bill at Tolworth Recreation Centre on Saturday night, each facing Tanzanian opponents with winning records and stacks of knockouts. However, for many fans it’s the undercard that will live longer in the memory. Sammy McKay and Kasey Bradnum fought up a storm over four rounds, while Andre Grant found himself on the end of a shock upset.

Sammy ‘Free Smoke’ McKay of Miguel’s Boxing Gym, stepped into the ring for just his third contest. The 29-year-old super-lightweight faced Kasey Bradnum over a fiery four rounds. McKay came out fast on the opening bell, throwing power shots from the off and forcing Bradnum back. The man in the away corner initially seemed happy to box conservatively, but ‘Free Smoke’ piled on the pressure and turned the fight into a much more memorable affair.

In the second round McKay walked Bradnum back into the neutral corner and landed a hard right hand that brought the bout to life. It forced his opponent to hold and spoil for a while, in order to survive, but once Bradnum recovered the two men went to work with real venom.

The rest of the bout was fiercely competitive and Bradnum repeatedly beckoned McKay in for more, firing off his own jabs and hooks. Essex-based Bradnum had a say in every round but it was McKay’s aggression, fluid combinations and accurate left hook that deservedly won the day, 40-36. In a post-fight interview with Boxing King Media, promoter Dean Whyte hailed the performance saying: “I call him the black [Manny] Pacquiao, he throws a billion different punches from different angles. But look, it’s a learning fight and he got a great win tonight. That guy [Kasey Bradnum] was good.”

Andre Grant expected a warm-up bout against Darwin Martinez, seemingly hoping to shake off some ring rust before his June shot at the English super-bantamweight title. Having not boxed since last April, he got much more than he bargained for. His 25-year-old Nicaraguan opponent showed good head movement throughout, slipping shots and returning fire with barrages to head and body. He was tireless over the six rounds and Grant quickly ran out of ideas, stumbling to a 60-54 loss.

London-born super-bantamweight, Martin Hillman, was one of the more experienced home fighters on the bill and the nominal headliner. However, he didn’t wow fans over a laboured 10 rounds with Tanzania’s Julias Thomas Kisarawe. Looking frustrated at times, he managed to outwork Kisarawe in a bout that won’t live long in the memory, taking a 97-93 win. He also picked up the little-known UBO belt for his troubles and is targeting another shot at the Southern Area title.

Prince Patel boxed with his usual confidence and had few difficulties overcoming Goodluck Mrema. The Tanzanian hit the canvas twice in the fifth round and reportedly suffered a broken rib earlier in the bout.

Guildford’s Jimmy Lee racked up his fourth pro bout at just 19 years of age. The promising super-featherweight took on Nicaragua’s Cristian Narvaez over four rounds. Lee boxed well with a long, languid style and took a 40-36 win. He was composed, hard to hit and used his range well.

Sidcup super-middleweight Ernie Rutherford headed into his fourth contest unbeaten and looking to register a third stoppage win. Stepping in against teak-tough Fernando Valencia, the odds were against that, but there was a lot to like about Rutherford’s rugged, aggressive style. He stalked Valencia around the ring all night and landed plenty of hard, accurate hooks upstairs, arguably neglecting his body work a little. A straight right hand at the end of the third left Valencia backtracking but the resilient Mexican saw the night out and gave Rutherford plenty to think about. Ultimately, the Englishman took a shutout points win and the next step on his impressive journey. After breaking his back in a car crash, the Sidcup man worked his way back from the injury and down from 250lbs, all to step back into the ring. He’s got a watchable style and stepping up to six rounds this early in his career was a bold move too. We’ll be paying close attention to his next steps.

Byron Cox made his debut against experienced Nicaraguan, Rejnaldo Cajina, at super-featherweight. Cox took a 40-36 win and looked slick enough once he’d shaken off the opening night nerves.

Elsewhere, thankfully Nathan Mizon’s crisp, aggressive style was much more memorable than his ring nickname, but ‘Mr Excitement’ took another 40-36 win, notching his record up to 7-0. He’s a promising fighter and we can’t wait to see him in some more competitive bouts. This four-round outing against Rustem Fatkhullin never pushed the Surrey man out of his comfort zone, though he demonstrated plenty of composure.

Nigeria-born Bilal Fawaz was set to return to the ring after his 2022 loss to Ayoub Zakari. However, a last-minute pullout left him disappointed and he only boxed an exhibition bout against Bermondsey pro, Zac Vassel.