Ringside Boxing Report: The UK Vs. The World

**With Slideshow**

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

Friday in the Conference Center of the MGM Grand, British Fighters met U.S Fighters in the fight night billed as “British Invasion: The UK vs. The World”.

Disappointingly, the thousands of British fans who were in Las Vegas for the Main Event, did not attend this fight night which would see six British boxers fight it out with their American opponents.

Some fans were in the center but it was no where near full, but thankfully, the ‘Band’ were there to keep us entertained.

The main event of the evening was an American contest for the NABF Middleweight Title over 12 Rounds between Bronco McKart and Enrique Ornelas.

It seemed this was going to be a short contest – as Ornelas was down in the first round and then again in the second. But he came back out for the third round seeming to have regained his composure and mid-way through the frame he put the pressure on McKart which saw McKart almost half-sitting back on the ropes as he came under attack. Moments later though and McKart landed some great body-shots.

Round 4 and it looked like Ornelas got the better of McKart landing some more great body-shots and then in the last 20 seconds of the round McKart went down and took the full 8-Count.

McKart’s corner were frustrated – as his work-rate seemed to drop and once again – in the last 20 seconds of Round 5 – McKart was down on the canvas.

As he sat in his corner he was clearly distressed and was retired by his team. I heard him telling his team that “both ears have gone……I couldn’t hear anything but ringing…..”
A prime example of ‘getting your ears boxed’ !!

The Co-Main event of the evening was that of likeable John Murray (Manchester, England) who faced tough Mexican – Miguel Munguia.

The first round saw both men settle in to the fight – checking each other out. By the end of Round 2, Murray had sustained a bloody nose but he showed his usual ‘cool’ demeanour as he sat listening to trainer Joe Gallagher in the corner.

In between rounds the ring-card girls (wearing bikini’s!) kept the audience entertained. “I like the way you move….” some Brits sang every time they came on to the ring. The ‘band’ played the ‘striptease’ tune and the ring-girls were clearly enjoying the British attention!

“Double up that jab!” Joe Gallagher shouts to Murray as he gets up for Round 3. By the end of the frame Munguia’s nose is bloody.
Round 4 was a good round for Murray who had started to work harder on the jab. At the end of the round Gallagher tells him to ‘keep nice and composed’

Round 5 and Munguia’s left brow is cut. It seems a fairly close contest. “Don’t let him nick the rounds, John” shouts his corner.

Round 6 and in the second half of the round, Munguia looked to ‘wobble’ under an attack from Murray but in the closing seconds of the frame the Mexican comes back with a couple of good shots and then a peach of an uppercut just as the bell sounds. Murray remains composed as he goes back to his corner.

The end of Round 7 saw Munguia’s legs looking unsteady again and we were waiting for Murray to land the shot that would end the fight for the Mexican – but this wasn’t going to happen and Murray won by Unanimous Decision.

Undercard Action included:

Dean Harrison (Wolverhampton, England) vs. Ramon Guevara (Santiago, DR)
6 Round Junior Welterweight Contest
A good win for ‘Deano’ Harrison as he wins by TKO round 5

Karl Dargan (Philadelphia, PA) vs. Roberto Norris (Los Mochis, Mexico)
4 Round Junior Welterweight Contest
Dargan (debut) wins by UD

Craig McEwan (Edinburgh, Scotland) vs. Alfredo Contreras (Los Mochis, Mexico)
8 Round Middleweight Contest
Kilted – McEwan wins on points 79:73

Lee Meager (Salford, England) vs. Jose Gonzalez (Mexico City)
8 Round Lightweight Contest
It was a tough contest for Meager who didn’t look comfortable in this contest. A bad swelling around the right eye didn’t help and the swelling turned into a nasty cut during the final round.
Contest was a Draw.

Jimmy Campbell (London, England) vs. Richard Pierson (Patterson, NJ)
6 Round Middleweight Contest
Campbell took a heavy punch mid-way through Round 1 that sent him to the canvas looking completely dazed. Bravely, he stood up but could not recover quickly enough and when he was knocked down again – the fight was called off.
Pierson wins by TKO Round 1

Martin Gethin (Walsall, England) vs. Fabien Luque (Los Mochis, Mexico)
8 Round Lightweight Contest
Gethin wins by TKO Round 4