British Boxing: Earl, Mitchell Win Belts In London

Last night at the historic York Hall in London, former British and Commonwealth Lightweight Champion Graham Earl of Luton had another of his trademark close calls in defeating Spanish based Argentine fighter Angel Hugo Ramirez by decision to annex the vacant WBU title and Essex phenom Kevin Mitchell captured the vacant Commonwealth Super Feather belt with a competitive points victory over George Ashie of Ghana.

Earl had his hands full with his South American foe from the start as Ramirez pushed the Englishman back with a furious drive. The strategy nearly paid off as Ramirez unloaded on a shaken Earl in the third but couldn’t finish off the brave Luton man.

Earl tried to take some of the will from Ramirez with a sustained body assault but was outgunned by the Argentine boxer during the middle rounds. The former British and Commonwealth kingpin fought his way back through sheer will although the visitor had his moments, particularly in the eighth.

The later rounds saw Earl bleeding from several lacerations and it took everything he had to sweep the ninth through twelfth frames and win a 116-112 (twice), 115-113 decision on the judges’ card. Ramirez was incensed at the verdict and there were many ringside who felt he had a legitimate beef.

Undefeated super feather Kevin Mitchell graduated from prospect status by taking the Commonwealth title after a hard fought win over Ghanaian opponent George Ashie.

For much of the skirmish, it was boxer versus puncher as Mitchell used his greater skill to keep his more rudimentary rival rival at bay but in the middle rounds the Londoner’s aggressive nature came through and he obliged Ashie with a scrap before returning to a more measured approach that took him to a 116-113 (twice) and 116-112 points victory.