Boxing News Boxing News
On Friday night, Ruthless Frankie Gavin ended Denton Vassell’s unbeaten record in brutal fashion, leaving him with a suspected broken jaw following a seventh-round stoppage.
Brummie Gavin, who by securing victory preserved his own unbeaten run, was good value for the triumph after putting his Mancunian counterpart on the back foot for much of this eagerly-anticipated encounter in Liverpool.
He succeeded where Oldham’s Ronnie Heffron failed earlier this year by taking Vassell’s Commonwealth belt.
Gavin, at 27, one year younger than his ailing opponent, wasted no time in stamping his authority on the bout and a flurry of combinations in the early stages put him in the ascendancy.
Vassell didn’t rack up 20 successive wins, half of which were KO’s, for no reason and there were flashes of his pedigree, including a rejuvenated fifth round in which he had Gavin on the ropes.
But the Ancoats scrapper was never truly at the races and he will go away feeling as if he didn’t showcase the best he has to offer.
Gavin, who made it 16 straight victories, produced several stinging left hands to which Vassell had little response and the final, fatal shot resulted in a doctor’s inspection and referee Howard Foster calling time on the fight.
Lee Purdy take note – Gavin is on the warpath!
On the undercard of this Frank Warren show, late opponent – Najah Ali – was no match for Paul Butler, who defended his Commonwealth super-flyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage. A body-shot from Butler sent Ali to the canvas and unable to make the count.
Butler could not have wished for a more routine, comfortable evening.
Undercard Results as follows:
Joe Murray (Manchester) v Dan Naylor (Gants Hill, London)
8 x 3 Lightweight Contest
Murray wins on points 78-75
Stephen Smith (Liverpool) v Eddie Nesbitt (Belfast, N.I.)
6 x 3 Super Featherweight Contest
Smith wins by first round KO
Liam Smith (Liverpool) v Max Maxwell (Birmingham)
6 x 3 Light Middleweight Contest
Smith wins on points 60-54
Joe Selkirk (Liverpool) v Kieron Gray (Telford)
6 x 3 Middleweight Contest
Selkirk wins on points 60-54
