Ringside Boxing Report: Undercard Of John Murray vs. Lee McAllister
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Saturday night saw some great under-card action on the Hennessy bill from Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England, headlined by the John Murray vs. Lee McAllister British Lightweight title fight.
“Lightening” Lenny Daws faced Latvian boxer Sergejs Savrinovics in a ten round light welterweight contest.
Originally, Daws was scheduled to face Scott Haywood but Haywood relinquished the title so Daws then was to face Dean Harrison. Having suffered with the flu virus, Daws was unable to make the light welterweight limit so Harrison pulled out of the contest and late opponent Savrinovics stepped in.
A fairly even matched first round sees the only real notable punch being a body-shot from Savrinovics, which gained some applause from his corner. Unlike his opponent – Daws kept up a high defence, which shielded him from most of the Latvian’s punches.
Daws lands some solid body-punches during round two with Savrinovics dipping low – looking to land a good uppercut.
Round four and Daws stands firm while Savrinovics almost ʽjumpsʼ in with swinging hooks. In the closing minute, Daws pressures Savrinovics in the corner and the Latvian beckons to him to ʽgive him some moreʼ. Sauntering towards Daws, he throws an uppercut which misses its mark. Daws almost throws Savrinovics into the corner in the closing seconds.
Round five and Daws is told to ʽkeep em upʼ by referee Howard Foster as a body-shot strays low.
In the first 40 seconds of round six, Daws lands a body-shot which seems to sap the Latvian and he tucks his right elbow in against his side to protect from further body-punches as Daws targets the area.
Savrinovics is looking uncomfortable as Daws lands a left followed by a big right to the body. Despite looking tired now – Savrinovics still ʽcalls Daws onʼ. In response, Daws lands both head and body-shots and the Latvians head starts rocking back from the blows.
With 24 seconds of the sixth frame remaining, referee Foster calls a halt to the contest and Savrinovics protests.
Daws wins by TKO round six and improves to 18 wins (7 by KO) 1 loss and 1 draw.
Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury was out for his second pro fight after having debuted in Dublin last month. The six foot 8 and a half inch giant – named after Mike Tyson – faced German banger Marcel Zeller in a six round heavyweight contest.
Having a Scottish father, Zeller aka ʼThe Highlanderʼ, insisted on wearing a kilt instead of shorts for the contest to the delight of the Aberdeen fans. A smiling Fury entered the ring to a waiting Zeller.
A messy start to the fight sees Zeller going at Fury – head-down, like a bull at a gate!
The taller Fury seems to be looking to pick his shot and lands with a big right to the head of the German. At ringside, we can sense the power of the punches as they land like bombs!
Zeller covers up as Fury puts him under pressure in the corner. Zeller waves him on ʽCome on Iʼll have some more of that!ʼ, he beckons. And Fury obliges by piling on the pressure with a number of banging shots and a big right uppercut.
Zeller covers up with a high defence but Furyʼs punches push past the gloves of the German and he is ʽclobberedʼ by the shots. Two more big uppercuts follow and the crowd gasp at the force of the punches.
Zeller can only ʽcover upʼ under the barrage, just finding a split second gap to throw a swinging over-arm right. An exciting first round with Fury dominant – but Zeller taking the shots well.
Round two and Fury continues his attack. Zeller shakes his head and beckons to Fury to ʽgive him some moreʼ. I donʼt know how Zeller kept standing – as a huge uppercut finds itʼs target followed by numerous head-shots.
Zellers nose is bloody when he takes a low blow from Fury in the opening minute of the third and is given time to recover. Fighting resumes and Fury keeps up the work-rate while Zeller can only cover-up again.
Then, as Fury hesitates to adjust his shorts – Zeller sees his chance and ploughs in with a couple of body shots followed by a left and right to the head which doesnʼt seem to bother the Mancunian giant.
Fury comes back with a big right to the face of Zeller as he pins him to the corner and the German man is swamped with punches and unable to return with shots of his own. With ten seconds of round three remaining, referee Foster finally stops the contest and Zeller protests.
Tyson Fury gets big applause from the crowds who enjoyed this very entertaining contest.
Afterward, he was proud to be compared to former heavyweight champion George Foreman and Fury still insists that he will be a British Champion this year.
Promoter Mick Hennessy said Fury was ʽthe best prospect in world boxing and would shake up the heavyweight divisionʼ.
Other undercard results included:
Six foot six inch tall Zahid Kaput of Dewsbury faced heavyweight Howard Daley of Preston in a four rounder and despite a good effort from Daley – Team Ingle trained boxer Kahut wins on points 39-38. Kaput sees his record to 3-0 (0).
Chris Goodwin of Chester met John Baguley of Rotherham in a four round light welterweight contest and Goodwin wins on points, 39-37, over tricky switch-hitter Baguley from the Ingle’s gym. Goodwin improves to 8-1-1 (0).
Light middleweight Scott Evans of Stourbridge faced Matt Seawright of Tamworth and won on points after four, 40-36, to go to 7-0 (2).
Kevin Buckley of Chester had a tough bout with Mo Khaled of Sheffield at super feather and got the controversial points verdict 39-38 over the taller and awkward Ingle boxer, Khaled, after four rounds. Buckley rises to 6-0 (0).
Six foot two inch tall welter southpaw Ali Shah of Blackburn saw off Birmingham centurion Karl Taylor after a close four round contest that sees Shah win on points, 40-36, over a disappointed Taylor. Shah now stands at 4-0 (1).