Ringside Boxing Report: Michael Gomez vs. Chris Brophy
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Yesterday at the Municipal Hall in Colne, Lancashire, England, VIP Promotions’ Steve Wood hosted an afternoon of boxing which saw the return of Irish-Mancunian former two-time British Super Featherweight Champion Michael Gomez.
Gomez was back out for the first time since his defeat to Bolton’s Commonwealth Lightweight Champion Amir Khan in June of this year. Now under new trainer, Kevin Maree, a heavier Gomez took the fight against light middleweight Chris Brophy, with just a few days notice.
Entering the ring to huge support – as always – Gomez paced the ring back and forth like a man possessed as he waited to get going. As the bell signalled the start of this four round contest – it was clear that Gomez was going to go at Brophy like a bull at a gate. And the Welshman, now based in Preston, found himself on the canvas inside the first half minute of the opening round.
Brophy was down again in the second before the end came later that round and a delighted Gomez celebrated the second round knockout. The strength of Gomez is undeniable, but whether he could have kept up the pace beyond three rounds is debatable.
Still, at such short notice and in a different weight-division, it was a brave (some say mad) fight to take and proves again the unstoppable self-belief of Michael Gomez.
Other fights yesterday included:
Super middleweights Ally Morrison of Penrith vs. Jamie Ambler of Aberystwyth
Cumbrian Morrison enjoyed his second pro-win when he faced late substitute Ambler in this six, two minute round bout. Morrison landed some good body-shots on the taller Welshman to win on points 60-54 and his record improves to 2-0.
Welterweights Chris O’Brien of Burnley vs. Simon Morgan
It was a short fight for Morgan’s pro-debut as O’Brien piled on the pressure in round two of this six, tow minute frame contest. Subjected to a barrage of shots while pinned in the corner – the debutant was unable to throw anything back and referee Howard Foster called a halt to the contest. O’Brien wins by TKO round two and improves to 3-0 (1).
Light welterweights Tyrone Nurse of Huddersfield vs. Carl Allen of Wolverhampton
Popular Nurse faced veteran Carl Allen in a rematch. It was a tough contest against experienced Allen but taller Nurse scored with some long-reaching straight lefts to achieve his second points win over the Wolverhampton man 39-37. Nurse improves to 3-0 (0).
Super bantamweights Stuart McFadyen of Burnley vs. Delroy Spencer of Wolverhampton
The Burnley Banger was up against another tough West Midlander in the shape of Delroy Spencer. A good contest between these two with Spencer scoring some straight left shots and McFadyen landing a combination of left and right punches to secure a unanimous points win, 40-36, after four rounds. McFadyen improves to 10-1 (1).