Ringside Boxing Report: Graham Earl – Yuri Romanov

Recap of Friday’s Maloney Promotions Card From Goresbrook LC In Dagenham

The burning overhead lights shine that little bit brighter when he climbs through the sagging ropes, the blood-specked ring appears that little bit bigger. A melodic ovation is now in full, deafening flow. Twisting and twirling like a tornado, the applause sweeps through the dimmed arena with the velocity and force of an F5. A funny thing happened. As Graham Earl stepped out from his dressing room, the venue itself transformed around him. You may not believe it, but for roughly 45 minutes the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham morphed into Wembley Stadium circa 1966. The atmosphere was that of a World Cup final. Earl was England. The man standing opposite him, Yuri Romanov, the embodiment of West Germany.

Just like all those years ago, it was us against them.

The WBC #6 rated Romanov, 17-1 (11) is first out. Serene and ultra confident, he saunters into the ring wearing a hint of a smile, completely unperturbed by the rainstorm of boos soaking him from head to toe. A thickset fighter, his muscular body has that steely and extremely powerful look. Cold and hard, you think to yourself, like a block of iron.

Within minutes, Earl, 23-1 (12), follows from a dark doorway. Like a smiling snowman would under a forceful rain, the hissing and heckling swiftly melt away. In its place are rapturous cries of support along with a collective thumping of feet. Screaming and singing and shouting crash against your ears like a succession of tall, foamy waves. The building shakes with excitement

The British and Commonwealth lightweight champion glistens with sweat as he comes into view. Whereas Romanov looked the definition of calm and relaxed just moments earlier, an immensely fired up Earl lets his emotions bubble to the surface as he bops rhythmically to blaring dance music. Amidst a chorus of roars, an expression of passionate intensity sits on his face.

Final instructions, opening bell, first punch.

The popular notion that Romanov’s heavy hands would force Earl to box, move, and generally keep his distance is dispelled within seconds. Marching full steam ahead behind a well schooled left jab and meaty rights hooks, the first round sees Earl set the pace, tone and pattern that will go on to shape the next eleven sessions. His right hand cocked, Romanov backpedals robotically without throwing much. He looks surprised by Earl’s early aggression. Earl digs in some body shots. His round.

The second, just like every other round to come, follows a similar outline to the first. Earl, fighting like a man possessed, bulldozes his way forward with gloves held high, letting his fists fly at every opportunity. He lands some hard shots in close. Romanov comes back with some stinging rights that land flush. It is give and take now as both fighters get their shots off. Earl lands well to the body, and continues to push Romanov back. A better round for the Belarusian, however. He looks to be warming to the task.

It is obvious now that Earl does not possess a reverse gear. His jab is still working well, but Romanov is starting to land whistling rights over the top. The visitor is countering more effectively now, connecting cleanly with both hands as Earl applies a constant stream of pressure. Romanov, carrying his hands low, looks like he’s trying to end the fight with a single right hand bomb. Earl, though, walks through the fire without blinking, doggedly maintaining his aggression. He whacks Romanov to the body.

Romanov is exceptionally accurate with his right hand. He leans back and shoots it over the top of Earl’s jab with tremendous force. Earl suddenly pins his man against the ropes and unloads a barrage of punches to head and body. Romanov emerges from the assault with blood pouring from his nose. He fights back, but is consistently outworked and, perhaps surprisingly, out muscled by the Briton. Fighting like a bulldog, Earl is not giving Romanov a chance to breathe.

They exchange vicious shots in the middle of the ring to start the fifth, taking it in turns to rock the other. It is clear that Earl is prepared to take a shot in order to give one. Punches are now flying furiously, best round of the fight so far. Earl showing more variety in his work, mixing short hooks and thudding body shots into his attacks. Romanov is landing his share of leather also, but is having trouble keeping up with the frenetic pace set by Earl. His mouth is starting to hang open as he gasps for air. Earl keeps coming.

Romanov is throwing less now, the unremitting pressure being applied by Earl may well be breaking him down. Forced into the ropes, he absorbs a series of clubbing shots that buckle him ever so slightly. Earl carries on throwing and landing. Romanov is cut over his right eye, and visibly winces every time Earl goes downstairs. Huge round for Earl. His relentlessness is sucking the life out of Romanov.

Round seven. The Luton man shrugs off his opponent’s best punches as if they are nothing, and then returns fire in kind. Romanov’s head rocks back violently after getting nailed by a jolting right…and then another…and then another. He is beginning to take on the look of a beaten fighter. Earl can sense victory but is stopped in his tracks by a furious, almost desperate Romanov attack. Could this be his last stand? They trade on even terms for the remainder of the round. Romanov looks thoroughly exhausted as he returns to his corner.

The next round sees both fighters whacking loudly and ferociously to the body. A slightly rejuvenated Romanov is throwing with bad intentions again, but still can’t keep Earl off. The action is nonstop.

Earl carries his momentum into the ninth, but almost comes apart at the seams when Romanov lands his best punch of the night. A counter right hook does the damage. Earl absorbs it but wobbles back with a vacant look in his eyes, and then braces himself for the oncoming blitz. Romanov, going in for the kill, swings wildly with both hands. His back touching the ropes, Earl looks to be on the verge of going down before springing to life with a blistering right hand that rocks Romanov back on his heels. Earl survives the round…just.

Romanov, suddenly looking like the fresher fighter, is starting to find a home for his slicing left hook. Earl is still pressing the action, but his output has dropped slightly. A fantastic three-punch combination lands for Earl. Romanov carries on bouncing counter right hands off Earl’s head, and then decides to target the body. There is not much between them anymore. The crowd is being treated to great action, and when the bell sounds it is Earl’s turn to look like the more tired fighter.

The final two rounds are brutal. Putting forth an almost superhuman effort, Earl somehow finds the strength to trudge forwards and throw shots. Clearly the heavier and more accurate puncher, Romanov allows himself to be outhustled by Earl down the stretch. With blood coming out of his mouth, Earl gives the impression that he wants it more by producing some eye catching rallies in the dying minutes.

It’s all over. Both men, battered and bruised, look absolutely spent.

Graham Earl is a deserving winner: 116-114.

“I could have taken the safer option and taken the mandatory shot at the European title but I wanted to make a statement and I believe I made that tonight,” exclaimed a triumphant Earl after the fight.

“It will be the European title fight next, when I first started in boxing I said I wanted to go down the proper route i.e. Area, British, Commonwealth and European before moving on to a proper world title fight I’m not interested in fighting for a Mickey Mouse title.

“You will write me off at your peril.

“After four or five years of being out of the love with the sport I have got the love back for it, even when I haven’t been in love with it I have still beaten the best that Britain has to offer.”