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Martin “Too Much” Power made a very impressive second defence of his British Bantamweight crown as he dominated tough challenger Issac Ward before finishing him off with a booming right hand in the eighth round at the York Hall in Bethnal Green during a Maloney Promotion on Tuesday night. Ward, from Darlington, had big support and gave it everything he had but Power had just too much in every department and the finishing right hand from the champion landed so flush it’s a wonder Ward remained conscious let alone upright.
Power instantly took control of the fight, flooring the challenger with a short right hook with barely a minute gone. Ward however was not discouraged and tried to come forward but was shaken twice more by right hands before the round ended.
The second round was a lot closer as Ward continued to press forward in hope of catching Power with a right hand. Ward was beginning to get through but Power was picking him off, and a right uppercut was a particularly impressive shot.
The champion began to really put his shots together in the third round, but Ward responded with a solid right hand which sent Power’s gum shield flying out of the ring. Shortly after the mouth piece was re-inserted, Ward backed Power into the corner and let fly. The champion responded and now a war had broken out which sent the crowd into overdrive. They didn’t let up until the bell and although Power was edging, Ward had firmly put himself right in the fight.
Round four saw the champion really taking control; his punches were short and sharp and were landing every time Ward swarmed forward. The right uppercut from Power landed with superb accuracy and he continued to use this shot through out the fight.
The champion came out for round five looking for the big shots and another solid right had the challenger in desperate trouble. Ward was now really hurt and tiring as he was bashed around the ring. His fighting spirit and determination were the only things that got him though that round.
Power continued to dominate Ward emphatically through rounds six and seven. His combinations were crisp and there was a maturity about his work. The challenger was as game but he had now taken a lot of shots and was well behind.
The end came in the eighth, courtesy of a peach of a right hand from Power that could not have landed any better if tried. Ward walked straight onto it and despite only briefly touching down, referee Ian John Lewis quite rightly waved it off.
It was a perfect performance from the champion, who defiantly looked the business. A European title shot in the near future would seem like a good move as there is not much competition for Power on the domestic scene. However I’m sure Power will want to win the Lonsdale belt out-right in his next fight, which he is more than capable of doing.
With the win the champion improves to 19-0 and the brave Issac Ward drops to 13-1-2.
