Ringside Boxing Report: Ross Burkinshaw vs. Mike Robinson II
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Last nigh, at ‘The Troxy’ in the East End of London, England, Frank Maloney hosted a St.Georges Day Dinner Event which would show four action packed contests including an English title fight.
Billed as ‘The Slayers’ – this special fund-raising event was headlined by the English Super Flyweight title contest between Ross ‘The Boss’ Burkinshaw of Sheffield and Mike ‘Robbo’ Robinson of Liverpool.
The event also signalled the launch of Maloney’s ‘St. Georges Sporting Club’ which promises to host men-only ‘do’s’ around the country as well as mixed-sex events, such as a Summer Ball, to raise money for charity.
It was a big night for Mr. Maloney, not just because of the club launch, and the setting of The Troxy – but boxing celebrities, friends, colleagues and family gathered to celebrate his 25th anniversary as a promoter.
The Troxy – an ‘Art Deco’ styled venue in the heart of London’s East End – was packed with guests. There were forty tables, plus the top-table, where guests enjoyed a typically ‘hearty’ English three course meal.
The venue was adorned with St.George Flags and the air was amass with red and white as guests waved flags to the sounds of singer Jill Daniels. Singing along to her renditions of ‘Maybe It’s Because I’m A Londoner’, ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘There’ll Always Be An England’ – it really was a party-atmosphere and everyone was clearly enjoying the occasion.
At top table, Mr. Maloney was joined by the Peckham Pearly King and Queen, former boxer Michael Watson MBE, former boxer Terry Marsh, Sky Sports presenter Adam Smith, who acted as MC for the proceedings, Paralympic Contender Zoe Robinson, actor/ painter -Chris Ellison, Tracy Maloney, Phillipe Fondu and Liz Flower.
Other attendees included: Ian Napa, Brian Lawrence, Larry Olumbamiwo, Steve Wood, Darren Sutherland, and Julius Francis.
Mr. Maloney – encouraged to make a speech – gave thanks to family, in particular his wife, Tracy, friends and colleagues. Special mention was made to Maloney Promotions General Manager James Russell and to the table of Press present.
Mr. Maloney summarised his time as a boxing promoter and spoke of his pride in managing Lennox Lewis to the undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World.
Guest of Honour Terry Marsh was the first fighter that Mr. Maloney trained for promoter Frank Warren. The former World Light Welterweight Champion was the first British boxer to retire undefeated as a world titlist when he called it a day in 1987. But Marsh is perhaps more well-known for being cleared of attempted murder of his former promoter, Frank Warren, in 1989.
Mr. Marsh raised a laugh when he spoke of the times he had spent with Frank Maloney and gave credit to him as a promoter.
Before the boxing commenced, there was a fantastic auction of boxing memorabilia and trips, which included a long weekend in Portugal for five people, Army Training Day for 10 people, a signed Evander Holyfield glove and perhaps the star item, flights, accommodation and fight tickets for two people to go to Las Vegas on Thursday for the Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao fight.
One rather enthusiastic male guest up on the balcony seemed to be buying almost everything on offer! All proceeds from the night were in aid of the ‘Edward Starr Charitable Trust’ and The Army Benevolent Fund.
Boxing commenced with a 4 x 3 lightweight contest between Alex Dilmagahmi of Brighton and Baz Carey of Coventry.
This was Dilmagahmi’s first professional contest and a testing one – against experienced tough-man Carey. Scoring with left and right hooks to the head, Dilmagahmi did well to stand up to Carey.
Carey impresses with big clubbing overhand rights in an all-action fourth and final round before Dilmagahmi notches up his first win on points.
Next up, big man Tom Dallas of Chatham faced Slavomir Selicky of Slovakia in a 4 x 3 heavyweight contest . But it was a quick exit for the Slovakian, who went down twice in the first round before finally being stopped by the referee. Dallas wins by TKO round one.
The Troxy crowd sang Happy Birthday as Dallas, now 24 years of age, waited in the ring and he was clearly delighted with the win, not to mention the the singing!
Dallas improves to 5 wins (3 by KO), no losses
Gary Woolcombe of Welling faced Ukrainian Vladimir Borovski, in a 6 x 3 light middleweight contest. ‘Hot Stuff’ Woolcombe gets off to a good start but then is caught by two or three solid punches from Borovski, which land on target.
Woolcombe comes out for round two looking more ‘fired-up’, but still gets caught by Borovski’s solid right.
Woolcombe uses the straight right and left to the head – but Borovski comes in with a sweeping left to the body.
It’s a tough contest for Woolcombe but he secures the points win and his record now stands at 27 wins (10 by KO) 2 losses (2 by KO).
Last up, is the 10 x 3 English Super Flyweight title contest between Ross ‘The Boss’ Burkinshaw of Sheffield and Mike ‘Robbo’ Robinson of Liverpool.
Before fighting commenced, Jill Daniels gave a rousing rendition of ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ while everyone stood on their feet and sang along.
Burkinshaw – a serving soldier with the ‘Rifles’ Division – wore a green camouflage jacket and beret. Standing alongside trainer Glyn Rhodes, Ross looked confident.
Robinson scored a draw against Burkinshaw during a four rounder in February and was looking to get a solid win against his taller opponent.
It’s a cautious start for Burkinshaw while a focussed Robinson targets the body with some heavy left punches. Using straight lefts and hooks – Robinson finds his target, while Burkinshaw throws the left.
The ‘Boss’ sinks in a right hook to the body of the Liverpudlian, who comes back with a left to the head. Robinson lands some notable left hooks to the face of Burkinshaw in round three and lands a peach of a right uppercut, which Burkinshaw takes well.
Robinson keeps up the pressure in the early rounds, but Rhodes starts to goad him, shouting, ‘Are you tired Mike? You look tired…he’s tired Ross!’
Round five sees both men target the body of their opponent and there are some solid punches which cause the crowd to gasp. Both men’s noses are bloodied as they trade punches.
Round eight sees the body-punches start to take their toll on Robinson. He lands a left hook to the head of Burkinshaw, but the Robinson goes down from a body shot in round eight.
Fighting resumes but Robinson goes down again moments later. Bent over on the canvas – he does well to get up for the count. He continues briefly but is stopped just seconds later by referee Ian John Lewis.
Ross Burkinshaw is the new English Super Flyweight Champion and his record now stands at 6 wins (4 by KO) 1 loss (1 by KO) and 2 draw.