Boxing News Boxing News
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Friday night at The Guildhall, Preston, England in a Wally Dixon promoted event billed as “The Homecoming”, WBU Welterweight Champion Michael Jennings defended his title against Vladimir Khodokovski of the Ukraine.
The popular Jennings, a former British Champion from Chorley, England, came in at 10 stone 10 lb (150 lb) at the official weigh-in while Khodokovski tipped the scales at 10 stone 13 lbs (153 lb). Jennings certainly looked the leaner of the two men as they entered the ring.
It was a steady start to round one as both boxers settled in to the fight. There was huge support for the champion as they cheered “Jennings….Jennings…”. He looked the more polished of the two fighters and I personally have never seen him look so relaxed. In the closing seconds of the round, Jennings ups the pressure and the Russian is pinned back against the ropes.
Jennings continued to dominate in round two, Khodokovski wobbling under a right followed by left from Jennings. The champion looks focussed and his combinations carefully pick their target, although Khodokovski does well to defend himself.
By round four, it’s clear that Khodokovski is struggling with the work-rate and success rate from Jennings, as he feels the force from some of the Englishman’s bodyshots. The referee stopped to warn Jennings for holding on to the back of the head at one point, for which the WBU titlist apologised.
At the end of round six, Khodokovski looks tired. He’s been caught a number of times by head punches and bodyshots and is spending much of his time pinned back on the ropes by Jennings. Midway through the round, the Ukrainian slips in the corner under a barrage of punches.
Between rounds, Jennings looks very cool and relaxed, listening intently to trainer Brian Hughes in the corner. Also in attendance were Michael’s dad and Andy Morris senior. Current British Light Middle Champ Jamie Moore and and former British Welter Champ David Barnes were shouting from ringside “Come on, Mick…”
“Finish him off…..” shout the crowd to Jennings as they sense that Khodokovski is about to go but the fight goes the distance with Jennings clearly winning on points 80-72.
Jennings improves to 31-1 (14) while Khodokovski drops to 15-15-2 (3).
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Other action at Preston included the clash between heavyweights Howard Daley of Preston and Dave Ingleby from Lancaster. Homeboy Daley was making his professional debut in a 6 x 2 minute contest.
From the start, this looked to be a real slugfest’with both guys putting in huge effort. But former policeman Daley took a beating from Ingleby and it wasn’t long before his face became marked and blood flowed from his mouth.
But he kept going, a big guy with a big heart; he wasn’t beaten yet! And despite the gumshield being knocked out on three occasions and ringside onlookers expecting him to drop at any time, Daley stood up to Ingleby.
At the end of the sixth and final round, gasps of disbelief rang out as referee Steve Grey lifted Daley’s arm in victory! Daley won on points, 59-55, and both corners laughed, but no one was happier than Howard Daley, who, when smiling for the camera revealed a toothless bloody grin! And we at ringside laughed as we saw a couple of Daley’s teeth amidst the blood on the canvas!
Daley goes to 1-0 (0) while Ingleby sees his record to 3-20 (1).
Other undercard action:
Scott Sandman, 1-0 (1), of Manchester defeated Craig Tombs, 0-3 (0), of Barnsley over six, two minute rounds at light welter, 60-54 on the referee’s card.
Light heavyweight Carl “Dynamite” Dilks, 3-0 (0), of Bolton defeated hard luck Staines based Pole, Mikhail Bamballra, 0-8-1 (0), 60-55, after six two minute rounds.
Rhys Roberts, 2-0 (0), of Manchester fought Usman Ahmed, 1-1-1 (0), of Derby over six two minute rounds in an exhibition at bantamweight.
Manchester super bantam Scott Quigg, 4-0 (2), stopped Sandy Bartlett, 4-7 (1), of Inverness, Scotland in the third of a scheduled six two minute rounder.
Manchester based Portuguese Paulino Da Silva, 4-2 (1), fought China Clarke [record unkown] of Leeds in a six round exhibition contest.
Johnny (Rocco) Hussey, also of Manchester, 9-1 (0), outpointed Jason Nesbitt, 7-74-2 (5), of Birmingham 60-54 after six two minute rounds at light welter.
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