Ringside Boxing Report: Undercard Of Andy Bell vs. Chris Edwards
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Frank Maloney Promotions put on a competitive undercard to support the British Super Featherweight title fight between Andy Bell and Chirs Edwards on Friday night at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England.
Chief support came from a short lived encounter between Danny Reynolds of Leeds and Jason Rushton of Doncaster. Fighting for the Central Area Light Middleweight title – this was to be Reynoldsʼ first ten-rounder, however, it wasnʼt going to get past the first round!
Southpaw Reynolds gets off to a flying start, but with only a minute gone of the first frame, Rushton, ʽThe Rocketʼ, is taken back to his corner to get repairs for the glove which seems to have come apart.
When the action resumes, Reynolds piles on the pressure as he releases a barrage of shots on Rushton who, pinned against the ropes, is doing well to cover up. Moments later, a body shot from Reynolds sends Rushton to the canvas.
Taking the count, Rushton continues – only to suffer another body shot seconds later which sends him to the floor again. Curled up in obvious pain, Rushton manages to get up for the count just in time. But in the closing seconds of the round, another onslaught from Reynolds and further punishing body shots sends Rushton sprawled with his head through the ropes.
An impressive win by Danny Reynolds, TKO round one, as he stays undefeated at 12-0-1 (7) while Rushton loses his second in a row and the third of his last four to go to 17-5 (3).
In an intriguing contest, Bristol southpaw and former Commonwealth Flyweight Champ Lee Haskins faced off against English Bantam titlist Jamie McDonnel of Doncaster in an eight round thriller at bantamweight
Confident Haskins has a very ʽopenʼ style of boxing, sitting back before diving in with a shot as opposed to the more orthodox style of McDonnel.
Mid-way through round two and a big right from McDonnel sends Haskins spinning off balance. Balance seems to be an issue in this fight as Haskins throws wild swinging shots that has him almost stumbling off-balance a number of times.
Itʼs a good round six for McDonnel and Haskins looks to be ruffled by the shots, slipping to one knee momentarily.
Both men go for it in the eighth and final round. McDonnel, who has been the busier of the two men, lands a couple of solid right punches in the last 20 seconds which rocks the head of Haskins, who is then bungled over to his knees in the corner. Both men hug as the bell sounds the end of the contest.
Referee Michael Alexander raises the arm of Haskins and boos ring out around the venue!
There were a few raised eyebrows around ringside, but no-one could deny it was a difficult decision to call.
Haskins wins by points 77-76 and improves to 17-2 (9) while McDonnel loses his second in a row to fall to 8-2-1 (2).
Also on the bill, highly touted Sheffield lightweight prospect John “Fireball” Fewkes, 17-0 (2), stayed on track for his much anticipated showdown with English titlist John Murray by outboxing French journeyman Frederic Gosset, 11-43-2 (3), over four rounds.
Middleweight Kevin Conception, 10-0 (3), of Leicester knocked out Leeds journeyman Darren Rhodes, 21-15-3 (7), in the fourth of a scheduled six rounder and super feather Danny Wallace, 12-4-1 (6), outpointed Ukrainian trial horse Rakhim Mingaleev, 27-57-1 (8), over six.
Super feather Gary Sykes, 8-0 (3), of Dewsbury stayed perfect with a six round points win against Birkenhead journeyman Peter Allen, 5-30-2 (0), while Mansfield light midde Karl Chiverton, 9-1 (0), won his his eighth on the bounce by outpointing Martin Sweeney, 2-7 (2).
Sheffield based light heavy Billy Boyle, 7-0 (4), stopped Mark Nielsen, 6-7 (2), of Sale in the first frame, while lightweight Tyrone Nurse, 1-0 (0), won his pro debut by outboxing Kristian Laight, 5-44-5 (0), over four and super bantam Mike Holloway, 1-0 (0), was also victorious in his first professional outing, seeing off Wolverhampton warrior Delroy Spencer, 10-63-3 (1), over four.