superheavyrhun

OK, so this is where, on Saddo's suggestion I start my new blog, which will become an archive of RBR's hopefully, if I can stick with it.

First up, here's Barker v Bendall for the Commonwealth Middleweight title.


Time to welcome you all to another episode of the melodrama that is Friday Fight Night in British Boxing. Tonight we see recent Commonwealth Champion Darren Barker make the first defence of his multi-coloured belt against Steven Bendall.

Barker (16-0, 10KOs) claimed the title with an impressive shutout over Ozzie Ben Crampton back in November, in his second fight back after a year's layoff. Barker was dominant against Crampton who boasted a fairly impressive record but failed to deliver on the night, and wasn't too testing for Barker in the end. Not a huge puncher, but Barker is a good boxer, and is probably in for the toughest challenge of his career tonight against Bendall.

Steven Bendall (28-3, 13KOs) is by far the more experienced of the pair, and will need to demonstrate more big-fight ability to step up to the plate than he has in the past. A former English and IBO and WBU Inter-Continental titlist, Bendall has challenged for British and European titles, but lost by KO in each of his defeat, although they were against quality opponents in Wayne Elcock, Sebatian Sylvester and Scott Dann. His southpaw style might cause some problems, but Barker will be the big favourite for this one.

Round 1:

Bendall comes out throwing, but not hitting the target with some jabs. Tehy trade in the ring, and a straight shot from Barker puts Bendall down straight away. Another straight right catches Bendall, who's shipping shots big time early on. He looks to come forward with straight shots, but takes two on the wy in. Bendall seems to be back together, a flash knockdown perhaps. Barker staying cool and not chasing too much. Bendall with some straight, jerky punches, but Barker with a nice uppercut inside. Nice left hook from Barker. They clinch, and Bendall throws a couple of hooks on the way out, but caught on the guard.

Great start for Barker.

10-8

Round 2:

Bendall's corner trying to keep his head focussed. Nice jab opener from Barker knocks back the head. Barker seems to have the match of Bendall, blocking shorts, the going to the body. Barker takes a hook to the body, then a couple more, but keeps his guard up and not knocked back too much as Bendall seems to be. Bendall is circling now, and looks a little jerky and forced. Jab and hook from Bendall. AS they clinch, Barker works well to the body. Barker takes a jab as he comes in with his own then a right to the body. Jab then duck from Barker, who is landing well, but getting caught a little more by Bendall this round. Barker lands a jab, but takes a straight left in return. Hrd stragight right from Barker.

Barker's round. 20-17

Round 3:

Barker starting well again, with a couple of good hard right hands coupled with accurate jabs. Flurry of shots from Bendall, two to the body, then thsoe looking higher only find the arms and guard. Barker returns more good shots, but Bendall becoming more active, forcing Barker to keep his guard up with body shots then switching upstairs, landing a decent uppercut. Barker totally unfazed however, the classy operator of these two, while Bendall is already preparing himself for a tough night. Big right again, and another from Barker, who seems to land at will when he comes forward, and Bendall reels on the ropes a little. Bendall with some straight shots, but easy defence for Barker. Nice uppercut from Barker.

Barker 30-26
Round 4:

Barker opens up with three good jabs. Bendall throwing but not making any impact again, whilst Barker's shots seem to make Bendall hurt every time. They clinch, and trade uppercuts on the inside. Bendall takes a body shot, and returns one lacking in the Barker venom. Bendall with a couple of right hooks to the body. Bendall ships another left hook, then a fine right hook. Barker is getting in and out well, landing shots, then backing out before he gets caught. Left hook from BArker as BEndall comes in. Bendall's courage isn't in question. Good straight right from Barker, then a flurry of hooks to the body then an uppercut, then they clinch until the bell.

Barker. 40-35

Round 5:

Bendall lands a straight left, then a jab. Bendall takes a right hook. Barker doubles the jab, then zips out of range. Barker with his own flurry, pushing out straight shots as he did going into the later rounds in his last fight. Hope he isnt tiring already. Big right hook rocks Bendall back, and he's trapped on the ropes. Five or six hooks land before Bendall can tie Barker up. He clinches again, does well to survive there. Bendall comes out with a jab then a left to the body, but nothing behind them. Barker goes back to basics with some jabs.

Barker's again - 50-44

Round 6:

Great straight right from Barker, but Bendall fires back ith his back on the ropes. Barker is good, but seems to be landing single shots until he hurts Bendall, then pouncing. Bendall jabs, then ducks a jab from Barker to clinch. Bendall with two hooks to the body. Good straight left from Bendall catches Barker moving into it, but Barker still unfazed. Bendall's best round so far, but Barker coming forward with a jab, then some good right hands before Bendall clinches. Bendall missing a fair bit, then Barker comes forward with a right then a jab. Bendall with a brief flurry on the bell.

Bendall's best round, maybe tied on this one.
60-54

Round 7:

Barker comes out with a little more intention, popping out the jab, but Bendall does land a jab as Barker comes in. Bendall working again , but Barker with a jab and a right. Bendall with a nice left, then a jab. Barker missing a little more in this round, and Bendall seems to be warming to this after a catatonic start. Bendall seems cut on the right eye, and the ref wants a look. Bendall with the jab, but takes two from Barker. Bendall's cut is bleeding a lot, but after a brief chance, the ref thinks its too bad and waves it off.

Unlucky that it came from a clash of heads, but Barker was dominating.

Darren Barker says: "I never overlooked Bendall, he's a quality opponent and was a stiff test. I'm learning all the time and getting better. Steve was coming back at me and was stopped on a cut, that's boxing. Everything in life is about learning all the time."