Boxing In Britain: Friday Night Results

Promoter Barry Hearn put on the second installment of his “Prizefighter” series last night as a round robin of heavyweights slugged it out at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle and there was also a Glyn Rhodes promoted show at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield.

The Prizefighter bill featured a mix of prospects and veterans fighting a series of three round elimination bouts and things got off to a contentious beginning as Luke Simpkin, 11-30-3 (8), narrowly got past Dave Ferguson, 7-2 (0), via split decision.

Next up, Chris Burton, 13-1 (6), won every round against David Ingleby, 5-22-1 (3), to post a unanimous decision. Sam Sexton, 10-1 (3), had a tougher time shifting his opponent, former British and Commonwealth title challenger Pele Reid, 19-6-2 (17), but outboxed him to get the points verdict.

Former British and Commonwealth cruiserweight title challenger Lee Swaby, 23-21-2 (11), won all three rounds against Darren Morgan, 5-5 (3), but the southpaw wasn’t so fortunate in the next round as he in turn lost every frame to Burton and was eliminated from the tournament.

Simpkin was next to go as he lost by unanimous decision after three rounds to Sexton, who advanced to the finals to face Burton.

The best performance was saved for last as Sexton swarmed Burton and forced a stoppage at 2:10 of the third and final round. The 24 year old from Norwich wins the second installment of Prizefighter and is awarded a 25,000 GBP bonus.

In Sheffield last night, lightweight John Baguley, 8-11 (4), stopped Dwayne Hill, 9-9 (1), in the third round of a scheduled ten to annex the vacant British Central Area title at Don Valley Stadium.

Light heavyweight prospect Billy Boyle, 9-0 (6), stayed perfect as he finished off veteran opponent Simeon Cover, 16-42-4 (2), in the fifth of a scheduled six.