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Once again it was an all-action main event topping Dave Coldwell’s latest installment as Kieran Farrell and Joe Elfidh produced a five-round shootout that was ultimately decided by a crippling left hook delivered to Elfidh’s mid-section on Friday night at De Vere Whites Hotel in Bolton, England.
Moving to 13-0, Farrell also collected the vacant Central Area lightweight title and is now in a solid position to challenge for higher domestic honours after proving he certainly has the stomach for championship class.
With both boxers possessing unbeaten ledgers beforehand, it was Elfidh who made the brighter start as he head-hunted Farrell’s shaven dome from the outset. The Heywood man was under constant attack for much of the opening two sessions but after riding out Elfidh’s initial attacks, he soon figured his rival out.
With a high guard and superb upper-body movement, Farrell began walking Elfidh down and despite the spirited comebacks from the Nottingham man it was Farrell who was finding the target more frequently.
With seconds remaining in the fifth session, Farrell avoided another wild flurry from his gutsy opponent and came back with his own assault whilst staying low. A long left hook landed flush on Elfidh’s exposed body and he fell to the ground instantly.
Referee Steve Gray, who hardly had a thing to do all fight, was called upon but Elfidh was unable to rise before the Fleetwood official’s count of ten. Coldwell was delighted with his charge’s work.
“I’m more than happy with Kieran tonight because he came through a real tough assignment and showed a lot of maturity for a kid with only twelve fights,” beamed the Sheffield-based promoter. “Elfidh’s massive for a lightweight and I was thinking he might be a bit too strong for Kieran in the opening round but once Kieran figured him out he began to have more of the argument.
“He reminded me of a tough Mexican out there tonight because of the way he was getting in real tight and winning the fight up close. Tonight was a big test for Kieran and he passed it impressively so now we’ve got to keep stepping him up. We’re looking at either Martin Gethin or Tommy Coyle for the English title sometime in the new season so fingers crossed we can get one of them fights made.”
Providing support to a quality main event were Coldwell Boxing debutants, Liam Conroy and Chris Healey. Barrow’s Conroy certainly looks one to watch for as he ruthlessly dismantled Danny Brown for the duration of their scheduled four-round contest before halting the oft-durable Essex man in the final session. For Stockport’s Healey, it was also routine as he produced an accomplished performance to collect a 40-37 verdict over veteran Simeon Cover.
“It was pleasing to watch my new guys go out there pick up victories on their first outing,” revealed Coldwell. “It was a great win for Liam because Brown has been in with a number of good prospects and not many have taken him apart the way Liam did.
“He looks a real good fighter and he’s got a great following where he’s from so we’ll be definitely be trying to create a bigger buzz for him in Barrow. We think that Liam has all the tools necessary to be headlining big shows in the future and he’s most definitely got an eye-friendly style for TV so it’s going to be interesting watching his progress.”
Coldwell was also eager to add that the future is equally promising for cruiserweight hope Healey, “It was a tough one for Chris tonight because Cover is one of the most awkward guys you can come across. I’ve watched him countless times and not many have looked that great against him.
“Chris didn’t get frustrated and he picked his shots well and in the end it was a dominant performance from him. He’s got his career off to an outstanding start and I’m confident after watching him tonight that he can go on and make a big impact in the cruiserweight division.”
Advancing to 4-0 was young Manchester prospect, Hosea Burton, who had things all his own way against London-based Pole, Pawel Trabinski. Burton’s right-hand was a constant nuisance for Trabinski as the young puncher was able to land it with alarming regularity.
The shot was disguised beautifully at times as the 2009 ABA champion faked several shots before unleashing his favourite weapon. These tactics were consistently effective as Burton eased to 40-36 scoreline from third man, John Latham.
“It’s been a busy few months for Hosea but he’s done what was asked of him and his professional career is well up and running,” said Coldwell afterwards. “You can see the adjustments he’s making in each fight and that’s what he needs to keep doing if he’s to fulfil his huge potential.
“He’s got a good team behind him and he’s also got the talent and hunger to become a massive success. The key now is to keep getting him the right fights and hopefully he’ll reach the level his where his talent deserves to be at.”
Other results:
Matty Clarkson beat Jevgenijs Andrejevs pts (39-37)
Calvin White beat Liam Griffiths pts (40-36)
