Ringside Boxing Report: Michael Brodie vs. Mark Alexander
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Friday night, at the Velodrome in Manchester, England, Hatton Promotions hosted a fight night which would prove to be an all-action bill culminating in another war from returning Mancunian, Michael Brodie.
Billed as ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, the fight card consisted of seven contests. Encircled by the indoor cycling track, the ring looked impressive with its lighting ‘rig’ and plasma screens.
The main and last fight of the night was well worth the wait! After a break of four years, former featherweight champion Michael Brodie made his come-back last night in spectacular style.
Who could forget the Brodie v. Injin Chi WBA title fights in 2003 and 2004? Last night’s fight was in true Brodie-style – another bloody war.
Michael Brodie (Manchester) v Mark Alexander (Finsbury Park, London)
6 x 3 Super Featherweight Contest
Popular Mancunian Brodie was down on the canvas inside the last half minute of round one having come under pressure from a barrage of shots. Everyone in the arena was on their feet willing him to get through the round. He survived it but was already marked up around the left eye area.
Round two sees both men busy but Brodie sustains a cut to the left brow, which pours blood. One moment – Brodie looks about to drop, then seconds later Alexander looks about to drop.
It was back and forth throughout the rounds. Then Brodie goes down from a hard body-shot in the third round. Everyone around us is on their feet – people are screaming for him to get up. He gets up but has to hold on to his opponent to see it out to the end of the frame.
Finally, Alexander goes down in the fourth round from a head shot and is subsequently stopped by referee Phil Edwards. The entire arena is on their feet applauding what was a thrilling fight.
Brodie’s record now stands at 36 wins (24 by KO) 3 losses (2 by KO) and 1 draw.
Craig Watson (Manchester) v Matt Scriven (Nottingham)
6 x 3 Welterweight Contest
Watson was scheduled to face Duncan Cottier, but a last minute change of opponent saw tough-man Matt Scriven take the call at two days notice.
Although Watson was clearly winning, he looked to be taking it easy then stepped it up in the last round to secure the points win, 60-54.
Watson admitted afterward to Hatton TV that he ‘had taken it steady to work on his boxing skills’.
Watson improves to 14 wins (4 by KO) 3 losses (1 by KO).
Joe Murray v Steve Gethin
4 x 3 Bantamweight Contest
Popular Joe Murray looked confident for his third professional fight, but – although he secured a 40-36 points victory – might not have been prepared for what seemed like a ‘rejuvenated’ Steve Gethin!
Looking the best I’ve seen him – Gethin gave Murray a good contest scoring some nice body shots. But Murray prevailed to win all four rounds and improves to 3 wins no losses.
Kieran Maher (Hattersley) v Jason Nesbitt (Birmingham)
4 x 3 Lightweight Contest
Young debutant Maher won on points, 40-36, against veteran Nesbitt. Maher found success with the left to the head of the Birmingham man, but it was a tough fight in more ways than one!
When the electricity went off part way through the fight, both boxers had to wait in the ring until sufficient light was restored. An impatient Nesbitt was keen to carry on regardless but was forced to wait with trainer Bob Plant.
Minutes later, a cheer broke out as the lights resumed. This would be one fight that Maher will surely remember, not least because it was his debut!
Andy Morris (Manchester) v Jesus Garcia Simon (Vigo, Spain)
6 x 3 Featherweight Contest
Andy Morris must have been thrilled after making short-work of Spanish opponent Simon. Forced to take a count mid-way through the first frame, Simon was stopped shortly after as Morris’ right connected with his forehead.
Referee Phil Edwards jumped in to stop the fight and Morris was clearly delighted. Morris improves to 17 wins (6 by KO) 2 losses (2 by KO).
Afterward, he told Hatton TV ‘wherever I put my hand, his head was on the end of it!’
Graeme Higginson (Blackburn) v Kristian Laight (Nuneaton)
6 x 3 Lightweight Contest
‘Dezzie’ Higginson got more than he bargained for when faced with Kristian Laight. Laight looked in better form than I’ve seen him for a while and proved a good opponent against the former British Masters title holder.
Higginson landed a couple of notable low blows, which saw the Nuneaton boxer take time to recover. Higginson stepped it up in the last round to win on points, 59-56.
Higginson’s record now stands at 9 wins (3 by KO) 7 losses (3 by KO) and 1 draw.
Alex Dilmaghani (Worthing) v Daniel Thorpe (Sheffield)
4 x 3 Lightweight Round
Southpaw Dilmaghani won on points over experienced Thorpe, telling Hatton TV afterward that Thorpe had a good defence. Dilmaghani notches up his second pro win.