Ian Napa v Martin Power - British Bantamweight Title RBR - Fri 10pm

Welcome one and all to the return of the British RBR, after a hiatus of a few weeks allowed me to catch up on the things I do when there's no boxing on. Rugby, drinking, sleeping and watching mindless TV as an anaesthetic to my drab work :p.

Tonight's action sees the diminutive Ian Napa defend his bantamweight title against Martin Power, who has had his recent career haunted by one opponent.

Ian Napa (15-6, 1KO) is the shortest professional boxer in Britain, a fact that he has never been able to escape in his career, in which he has competed at weights between flyweight and super bantamweight in order to make fights, and is giving away 6 inches in height to his opponent tonight. However, fighting bigger fighters has taken its toll on the little man from Hackney's record, including a previous SD defeat to Power in 2005, but he's challenged for honours in all those defeats except one, against Damaen Kelly, and has gotten the reward for his hard work recently, with an impressive outpointing of Jason Booth then gaining his first stoppage win over Lee Haskins last time out, with Haskins retiring through injury. Napa's slick boxing style is designed to make up for his lack of height, but once again he'll be trying to overcome a big height and reach difference to retain his title.

Martin Power (19-2, 8KOs) never lost the Bantamweight title now held by Napa, as he focused his energy on the Commonwealth title against nemesis Tshifiwa Munyai, but was stopped in both attempts by the formidable lanky "Atomic Spider". Up against a much shorter opponent, and chasing his first victory in over 18 months, it is hard to say whether Power can recover from his two devastating defeats against Munyai, and reclaim his British title. Power is also a good boxer with a firmer fist than Napa too, so is going into the fight as favourite. The signs would suggest Power should claim this victory, but Napa is a proud champion and won't let it go lightly.

Elsewhere on the bill, Tshifiwa Munyai is still being dodged/ignored for despite his Commonwealth title, and two wins over the headline challenger, he still finds himself on the undercard, this time against a Spanish flyweight 5 inches shorter than him who he should be able to beat convincingly in Jose Lopez Bueno.

There are also outings for prospects Akaash Bhatia and Tony Salem and another comeback fight for Gary Woolcombe looking to reestablish himself on the British scene.

Nice, CC for the RBR c'mon Mighty Mouse :)

Thanks once again for the rd. by rd.


It is my honor :bananasex: and previlage to CC you #800.... Very well earned cc IMO. (Unlike the hobbit who lurkes around asking begging for CCs every chance he gets)

Gonna pin this one up and have it ready for 'ya... 8)


CHEERS! :drunks:

CC in advance

I admire Napa. Great fighter who deserves success. He is a genuine guy who puts in the hard work despite the criticism he faces for his lack of KO power. I always worry about him though in fights, as he doesn't have a KO punch in him, and being the smallest professional fighter in the UK makes it extremely difficult for him to outbox his opponent from any kind of range. I can't go tonight as I'm in Birmingham for work, but if he wins I'll go and watch his next fight. I read that his ultimate goal is a world title shot at Super-Fly. I think it'd be easy to get him one. Champions will think he's easy pickings.

if anyone has info on live stream, please let us know. thanks.

CC in advance for this Rhun, hope I get to be here for you rbr, I may be in training.

Okay guys....I know I might have left it a little late in arriving, but I'm here now. Some silly little tramp had boxed me in in the car park, and my mates were playing Wii, but now its action time. Next up is Ian "DAppa" Napa v Martin "Too Much" Power, in the battle of the less than imaginative nicknames.

Power seems to have the edge in the support terms here tonight, but Napa looks pretty confident too, as always coming in pretty loose and with his trademark shades on. Power's 4-inch reach could be a big advantage to him tonight, as he looks to repeat his first victory over Napa last week.

Anyhow, next up Britain's shortest pro boxer is in action again. Come on Dappa!

Round 1:

Both guys with cagey openings, plenty of head movement from both, and Power claiming the centre ring. They trade jabs early on, and Napa ducks under a right hook from Power. Napa's jabs fall short. Power with a jab and two straight shots landing. Power with another jab and straight shot. Napa's jabs are only finding the Power guard. Power doubles up the jab then a straight rtight, but as they clinch, Napa works three hooks into the body. Power with a jab, and another hard straight down the middle. Tradeing jabs, but they tear up a little close to the bell, hooks to the body from each, then a jab from power.

10-9 Power

Round 2:

Napa with some jabs. Power with some hooks. They land simultaneous right hands. Napa more active this session with body shots and a right hook. Napa gets caught with another righthnad, but works the body again. Napa is pushing power back a bit more now. They clinch, and Napa is puhsing power back onto the ropes then puts more hooks into the body. Power is being pushed all across the ring now, and is forced to lunge in with counter hooks. Napa is in his element in centre ring, moving well and popping the jabs. Power comes forward with two landing hooks, and puts some body shots in as the bell rings.

Napa's session this one. 19-19

Round 3:

Napa jabs to the body, but gets caught with a left hook. They trade hoooks centre ring again with Power landing a little more. Uppercut and a straight right from Power, and he's circling Napa more than retreating now. Power landing another hook as Napa puts in a hook of his own, its the trademark shot of the fight at the moment. Power is getting the best of this round now, as Napa comes forward and gets caught with straight shots time and again with his shoulder roll guard not working. Napa looking better there, with a good body shot anbd a big right hook.

Power's round, but Napa still looking good.
29-28

Round 4:

Although Power has the name, looks like Napa has the actual Power in this bout. Power coming forward with some jabs, but Napa goes to the body twice, but Power gets in his nice right hook. They trade simultaneous left hooks, and Power is consciously trying to push Napa back again now. It's swinging like a pendulume here. Two good hooks in close from Power, then brings the guard up to block Napa's shots. Napa with two body shots. Power jabs, then looks to clinch. Power swings wildly with a flying left hook. They trade short hooks in close. Power comes in with a shot, but ships a right hook. Napa parries the power punches (pun) then counters to the body once more.

Napa ties it up.

38-38

Round 5:

Napa's jabs soar over Power's head. Cagey opening once again, and Power counters a Napa lunge with two hooks to the body. Napa takes a left hook, but throws a few jabs to keep Power off him. Big right hand from Power, and although it misses slightly, Napa goes stumbling back. Uppercut from Napa. Napa is wortking to the bdoy again with a fine flurry of hooks. Power coming forward in spurts with jabs and straight right hands. Jabs from Power, but napa with some sideways movement and gets out of the way. Napa moving well, but takes a left hook. Napa with some heavy shots to the body once again, and a right hook up top. They touch gloves, but Power looks a little despondent.

Napa 48-47

Round 6:

Napa with a hook sends Power stumbling. Power has a good flurry with Napa in the corner. Napa swings two wild hooks and misses which is untypical of him. Napa does seem to pack the punch of these two. Right hook from Power, but Napa lands two in response. Napa's body shots are clubbing Power again. Power lands one of three jabs thrown, but Power is still shipping Napa's shots. Quiet round that one, but it's hard not to give it to Napa for accuracy and power.

Napa 58-56

Round 7:

Napa is dominating the centre0ring now, and as Power comes in behind the jabs, Napa is landing body shots. Good straight right then a left hook rocks Napa back well. Napa with his own right hook. They trade body shots on the inside, its scrappy in there, but Power might be landing more. Right hook from OPower, then Napa with a body shot. Power with a hard upperhook landing near the sternum, but Napa digs in, pushes Power back and puts in even more body shots. Power headhunting with some jabs and straight shots, wit maybe one or two landing from 9 or 10. Napa with two big hooks upstairs, but Power digs in with two straight shots of his own.

I think Power's workrate edged him this round.
67-66 to Napa.

Round 8:

Powerwith some jabs, but Napa with some body shots. Power with a good flurry of hooks, and Napa is shoved back on the ropes. Napa's jab lands as Power's falls short, despite the difference. Straight right from Power. Two right hooks from Napa, then a great uppercut lands on Power, and Napa has the momentum again. Body shot and right hook from Napa, but Power falls short with his jabs again. Left hook from Power, but the pace is slowing here. Flurry of body shots from Power, but one maybe two land. Napa comes out swinging to the body, landing more frequently, then an uppercut, and Napa knows he's just got to keep this up.

Napa's round again. 77-75

Round 9:

Going into the last third of the fight it's Napa that has the fight to lose at the moment. Keep an eye out Mr No Contest. ;) Power working to the body, then a jab. Napa lands to the body, then backs out away from Power's straight right hand. Napa is now giving the tiring Power the ring centre. Napa with body shots to Power's jab riposte. They swap shots falling short. Napa to the body. Napa with a good right hook, then a one-two to Power's body. Uppercut from Power then a straight right hand. Power is coming forward and throwing more, but Napa is more accurate in punching in bunches.

Not sure on that one, maybe Power's on workrate, but call it a tie on my card.
87-85

CC shr 8)

Round 10:

The trainer still encouraging Power to fight in straight lines with the right hand. Power with jabs landing, and Napa falls short. Power digs to the body. Big right hand as Power comes in rocks Power. They clinch and lean on each other. They trade jabns and short hooks in the clinch. Napa gets caught by another two jabs, but not much zip on them. Power is blocking swinging hooks, then lands a jab and right hand. Napa goes back to his money shot with hooks to the body. Power comes back with jabs to push Napa back, and a staight hand. Napa swings to the body, but stumbles back from the force of his own punch. Napa with a good left hand pushing Power back. Napa to the body, but Power's put in a big effort this round. Jab and straight shot from Power, but Napa returns and overhand right.

Power looks shot, but he worked his heart out there.

96-95 Napa

Round 11:

Napa opens up with some body shots again, but Power comes back with some hooks. Sky have Napa a way ahead, but he's not working enough to make this a cakewalk in my opinion. Napa calling Power in, who obliges with some jabs and hooks upstairs. The Napa guard is working well though, give that to him. Big right hook from Napa, as Power comes in with a jab and straight shots. Power with a huge flurry of effort, body shots and straights upstairs. Looking to pressure Napa, but he's flat-footed and looks exhausted in there. Napa with a good right hand, but Power lands body shots.

Napa's accurate hard punches edge him that one, but i still have it fairly tight, whatever Jim Watt says.

106-104

Round 12:

Napa looks fresher, falling short with three jabsm, then finding the Power guard with an verhand right. Power is all over him though, with body shots and hooks upstairs with Napa pinned in the corner. Body shots again from Power, then a one-one-two. Fantastic last round as they both trade and throw. Napa with some fantastic hooks, but Power is ploughing into him with straight shots and body shots, and although he ships a straight shot, he's throwing more. Napa is fighting out fo the corner, with two big hooks landing. Napa with an overhand right. Napa gets caught three times in a great flury from Power, and two right hooks back in the centre of the ring. Napa comes back to the body, and Napa's grinning like he knows he's won. He's taking a jab anbd a body shot now, and waves his hand in victory. Napa takes two more shots. Both men hug, and looks like Napa's taken it.

Johnny Eames is hugging is fighter Power, his last round.
115-114 to Napa.

Exciting fight towards the end, and Eames has Power on his shoulders trying to swing the judges. Eames genuinely think Power's got this one.

Okayscorecards:

117-111, 117-111, 117-112

UD decision, and Ian Napa has retained his title. There are boos around the arena, but Napa was the powerful fighter in this one.

Ian Napa: "2007 has been great for me, I've been off the straight and narrow a lot but I felt I've proved a point and I've been on the straight now. I feel I've proved I'm the best bantamweight in Britain now. I've always had talent but it was an issue of bringing that through."

Maloney: "That was the best last round of boxing I've ever seen in the British ring, and we will try and get him an european title fight, and who knows maybe even a world title fight.

115-114 No offence but I give Power 2 rounds at the most Napa outboxed, outclassed, outpunched how can you give Power 6 rounds WTF. ::**

Did Munyai win on the undercard?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leftylee

115-114 No offence but I give Power 2 rounds at the most Napa outboxed, outclassed, outpunched how can you give Power 6 rounds WTF. ::**

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Basically, Napa was doing his usual thing of rolling the shoulders, and his guard tends to deflect punches on to the left side of his head and for a lot of it, Power's punches were getting through, although not with much power, whilst Napa was falling short with a fair few of his punches, and fighting in spurts.

Napa landed 150 and Power landed 87. Did you see the replays as Sky were waiting for the decision, he caught Power clean and flush and Power had nothing to give and was getting outgunned in every department, the last round was magnificant though scrapping in the corner.

Napa was landing body shots all night long.

Heh seems like a nice little scrap, cc again for the rbr.

Napa is a domestic level boxer at best. Maloney is talking about Euro title, but Napa can't make the step up from domestic to Euro or Worlds.

Props to him tho...good win last night!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leftylee

115-114 No offence but I give Power 2 rounds at the most Napa outboxed, outclassed, outpunched how can you give Power 6 rounds WTF. ::**

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Basically, Napa was doing his usual thing of rolling the shoulders, and his guard tends to deflect punches on to the left side of his head and for a lot of it, Power's punches were getting through, although not with much power, whilst Napa was falling short with a fair few of his punches, and fighting in spurts.

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:coolclick: Rhun, it was very good fight I thought, not as good as the Kirkland fight on Shobox a few hours later but still entertaining stuff.

I agree with Leftylee I had it a wide UD for Napa, judges cards looked bang on to me.

I really like Ian Napa, he's looked good in all of his last three fights, including his loss to Mallindrotu however you spell it.

It's a shame he lives in the UK and as such has to campaign above his natural weight because I think he could be very good as a Superflyweight or even flyweight on the world stage.

He's our own little Ivan Calderon.v :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Thanks once again for the rd. by rd.


It is my honor :bananasex: and previlage to CC you #800.... Very well earned cc IMO. (Unlike the hobbit who lurkes around asking begging for CCs every chance he gets)

Gonna pin this one up and have it ready for 'ya... 8)


CHEERS! :drunks:

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I don't know, I've just come into my study after a quick tidy up of my pantry. I've boiled myself a nice brew of tea, pink wafers ready and then log on to see this unwarranted attack and abuse on my good name. :(

I'm 129 years old Mick, I'm allowed to have my eccentric little ways.

Now I'm sorry and I know this is harsh but unless you give me a coolclick I'm going to be thinking bad thoughts about you all day.

I hope a bird poops on your car >:mad

Good win for Napa and hopeful his career kicks on from here. Had a few bad decisions against him in the past and his talent is undoubted.

I'm a big fan of Napa. Superb fighter and his performance here was a great one. I had Napa winning a wide decision. Power looked hurt and frustrated on several occasions.

I've heard rumours of him wanting to try for a Super-Fly world title. Do you think he'll drop down to win the newly created British Super-Fly title to get him in the ratings? or do you think he'll continue as a bantam?

He looks better every time I see him and there is no real reason why he can't win a world title. On his day he is a different class. I was pissed when Jim watt said he'd found his level.