Boxing Perspective: Khan Stops Gomez In Birmingham

On Saturday night at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England, Amir Khan successfully defended his Commonwealth Lightweight title by stopping tough Irish-Mancunian Michael Gomez, in round five of a grueling contest.

But it was never going to be an ‘easy’ fight for Khan and Gomez clearly ‘rattled’ the Bolton man, who suffered a knockdown following a left hook from Gomez in round two. Despite being knocked down himself in round one, big-hearted Gomez continued to walk forward in his usual ‘bullish’ manner.

And in true ‘Rocky’ style – stood fast as he took a number of punches from the Champion, I think he would have stood there all night if the referee hadn’t stopped it – such is the ‘fighting-never give-up’ attitude of Gomez.

Afterward, a calm and thoughtful Gomez admitted to feeling a bit ‘sluggish’ and was disappointed with his performance, but gave huge credit to Khan – who Gomez said had ‘great hand-speed’ but felt that Amir was a ‘vulnerable’ fighter.

That seems the general feeling of those close to, and not so close, to Khan, that he still had things to learn before going for a world-title.

There were two other title fights on the Frank Warren/Sports Network promoted fight night.

Bradley Pryce of South Wales made his sixth defence of the Commonwealth Light Middleweight title against southpaw Marcus Portman, from West Bromwich. The fight got off to a steady start but Pryce went a little off focus in round two, allowing Portman to take the advantage.

Portman was looking great but mid-way through round three, he got caught with a right hook from the Champion which sent Portman spinning around – his glove just touching the canvas momentarily – but referee Marcus McDonnell did not see it and the fight continued.

Portman shook his head as if to say ‘that was nothing…just a slip’. But Pryce was encouraged by the incident and went after Portman, who settled down again. Portman’s left eye looked grazed as he went back to his corner at the end of the round.

Portman took more punches in round four and his nose was bloodied as he returned to his corner.

Mid-way through round six, Portman was sent to the canvas from a right punch. Seconds later, Pryce backed him up under a barrage of shots and the contest was called to a halt by referee McDonnell.

Pryce wins by sixth round stoppage to retain the title.

Paul Smith lost his undefeated record as well as the English Middleweight title – going out on points to Steven Bendall, 96-94 after ten rounds.

2006 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Don Broadhurst, notched up his eighth win by defeating Belgian boxer Alain Bonnel in a super flyweight contest. Broadhurst had his work cut out for him – but achieved a points victory over tough Bonnel.

Other undercard fights featured:

Middleweight Jamie Cox defeating Billy Smith on points after six rounds, light middle Curtis Woodhouse knocked out Wayne Downing in the first frame of a scheduled four and middleweight Joe Selkirk outpointed Matt Scriven after four rounds.

Thomas Costello decisioned Duncan Cottier on points after four rounds at middleweight, as did fellow 160 pounder Martin Conception to opponent Dee Mitchell, super feather Steven Smith knocked out Shaun Walton in the third and light heavy Richie Collins saw off James Tucker after four rounds.