Ringside Boxing Report: Alex Matvienko vs. Geraint Harvey
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Sunday afternoon, VIP Boxing / Steve Wood promoted an eleven-bout fight-card which would headline Alex Matvienko’s defence of his British Masters Light-Middleweight Title. Held at the DeVere Whites Hotel – Reebok Stadium, Bolton, there was a ‘lively’ crowd awaiting the all-action bill.
Alex Matvienko v Geraint Harvey (Mountain Ash, Wales)
10 x 3 British Masters Light-Middleweight Championship
After a worrying start when Matvienko seemed to have trouble settling in and Harvey had come to ‘have a go’ – the ‘One Man Riot’ from Bolton concentrated on shots to the body.
The fifth round saw him sink some punishing body-shots that sapped the energy of the Welshman. Sustaining an injury to the ribs – Harvey was unable to continue and retired at the end of the fifth frame.
Matvienko retains his title with a stoppage, his record now stands at 15 wins (5 by KO) 1 loss and 3 draws. Harvey drops to 7 wins (3 by KO) 45 losses (8 by KO).
Patrick Walsh (Halifax) v Jason Nesbitt (Birmingham)
6 x 2 Welterweight Contest
Debutant Walsh uses the uppercut to secure a points win (40-37) over tough veteran Nesbitt. Walsh gets off the mark with his first pro-win while Nesbitt drops to 7 wins (5 by KO) 105 losses (11 by KO) and 2 draws.
Chris Johnson (Chorley) v Danny Dontchev (Tooting)
4 x 3 Welterweight Contest
‘Johnno’ won on points over Bulgarian-born ‘characterful’ Dontchev who didn’t look happy about the canvas as they started this four rounder. Johno wins on points (60-54) and despite losing – Dontchev was all smiles afterwards and seemed to enjoy the occasion!
Johnson improves to 11 wins (5 by KO) 3 losses (2 by KO) while Dontchev drops to 2 wins (1 by KO) 17 losses (6 by KO).
Nick Quigley (Liverpool) v Carl Allen (Wolverhampton)
4 x 3 Welterweight Contest
Supported by big brother Tony (ringside) – young Quigley faced a tough contest against durable Allen who gave Quigley some trouble in this four round contest.
Quigley gets the points win (40-37) and improves to 5 wins no losses, while Allen drops to 18 wins (5 by KO) 88 losses (15 by KO) and 7 draws.
Joe Collins (Macclesfield) v Damien Turner (Stretford)
6 x 2 Light Welterweight Contest
Debutant Joe Collins won decisively on points 60-54 in his first pro-contest. Damien Turner drops to 5 losses (2 by KO).
Jon Kays (Ashton-under-Lyne) v Dale Hutchinson (Sheffield)
4 x 3 Super-Featherweight Contest
Kays looked to get off to a wobbly start against Ingles-boxer Hutchinson, not least because the contest was stopped during round two while a car blocking the attending ambulance was removed.
Both men were forced to stand around in the ring for a few minutes. To add more drama – Kays touched down momentarily right at the end of the round but it was waved off by Referee Phil Edwards. Dominic Ingle was not happy but was told that it wasn’t counted because the blow landed at the back of head.
Hutchinson persisted in round three to ‘wobble’ Kays again and it looked like it wasn’t going to be a good night for the home-boxer until the fourth frame when Hutchinson went down then down again – this time heavily – and the contest was stopped.
Kays wins by TKO and improves to 11wins (3 by KO) 1 loss while Hutchinson drops to 2 losses (1 by KO).
Kays’ trainer, Bobby Rimmer, looked delighted – after a hellish couple of weeks for him /his camp – he was clearly very happy with the result.
Steve Jennings (Liverpool) v Kristian Laight (Nuneaton)
4 x 3 Lightweight Contest
‘Jenko’ wins on points 60-54 against experienced Laight. He improves to 4 wins (1 by KO) while Laight drops to 6 wins 73 losses (4 by KO) and 5 draws.
Austen Hornsby (Manchester) v Andrew Patterson (Birmingham)
6 x 2 Welterweight Contest
Debutant Hornsby narrowly wins on points (58-57). Patterson drops to 6 losses (1 by KO) and 1 draw.
Paul Economides (Connahs Quay) v Sean Doherty (Bradford)
4 x 3 Super-Featherweight Contest
Economides narrowly gets the points win (39-38) and improves to 8 wins (1 by KO) and 1 loss. Doherty drops to 2 wins 3 losses and 2 draws.
Warren Tansey (Middleton) v Lee Nicholson (Retford)
4 x 3 Middleweight Contest
There was huge support for Tansey who had his opponent down in the first round. Nicholson was down twice in the second and his face was bloody by the end of the round.
Fired-up Tansey wins by third round TKO. He improves to 2 wins (2 by KO) and 1 loss. Nicholson drops to 3 wins 19 losses (15 by KO) and 3 draws.
Shayne Singleton (Colne) v Daniel Thorpe (Sheffield)
4 x 3 Light-Welterweight Contest
Enthusiastic Singy secures a points win (40-36) over experienced Thorpe and improves to 4 wins (2 by KO). Thorpe drops to 23 wins (9 by KO) 98 losses (22 by KO) and 3 draws.