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

[superheavyrhun]

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 .

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.

[No Contest]

Nice, CC for the RBR c'mon Mighty Mouse

[CutMeMick]

Thanks once again for the rd. by rd.


It is my honor 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...


CHEERS!

[BoxingGorilla]

CC in advance

[bzkfn]

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.

[sweet science]

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

[killersheep]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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.

[superheavyrhun]

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!

[superheavyrhun]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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

[superheavyrhun]

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