Paul Appleby v Exham Pickering RBR - British Featherweight Title

[superheavyrhun]

A very good evening to one and all, and with the festive season nearly upon us (despite TV ads suggesting the Christmas build-up starts in August), a wise man has come from the East....kind of. Well, I returned to the UK from Nepal anyway.

And as its friday night, and there is finally an internet connection in my home once again, I present the British RBR....with tonight's action headlined by newly-crowned Featherweight champion Paul Appleby facing off against the veteran Esham Pickering, moving up from Super Bantamweight after losing his British title to campaign at feather.

The tale of the tape as I read it:

Paul Appleby (12-0, 8KOs) claimed the title beating John Simpson in June, but it was narrow on all cards, as most fighters would get against the battling Simpson. Having not seen Appleby in action myself, I can't say too much about what to expect, but young, undefeated, and headlining a show in his native Scotland must be a big boost for him when he climbs into the ring. A quick check on Wikipedia shows he's the youngest ever British Featherweight Champion, being only 20 when he claimed the strap.

Esham Pickering (33-7, 13KOs) has been around the British scene for many a year now, but has struggled over more recent times as he's getting older, losing the lightning speed which was integral to his style, especially seen in his defeat to Sean Hughes, and led him into getting caught too often and losing his belt to Matthew Marsh in June. Hard to tell whether an easing of the weight stripping will help Pickering, or if he'll get a new lease of life, but as a 6-1 underdog, the bookies think the youngster has it.

[killersheep]

Any undercard action Rhun?

[superheavyrhun]

Any undercard action Rhun?

Nothing too sensational to talk about to be honest with you, only fight worth mentioning is former champ John Simpson against african John Gicharu, but Gicharu's two defeats have come in the UK and Ireland, and 10 wins in his homeland, so not exactly a renowned traveller.

As with the Friday Night Fights on Sky, undercard is pre-recorded and shown after the main event, so if it gets a bit tasty I may jump in on that undercard.

[killersheep]

Any undercard action Rhun?

Nothing too sensational to talk about to be honest with you, only fight worth mentioning is former champ John Simpson against african John Gicharu, but Gicharu's two defeats have come in the UK and Ireland, and 10 wins in his homeland, so not exactly a renowned traveller.

As with the Friday Night Fights on Sky, undercard is pre-recorded and shown after the main event, so if it gets a bit tasty I may jump in on that undercard.

Fair enough

[superheavyrhun]

Showtime in around 10 minutes or so, so maybe 20 minutes until the boxing itself starts.

[superheavyrhun]

As expected, Pickering coming in first getting the bile from the local crowd in Scotland, and Appleby getting a rousing reception. Pickering had a bit of a sweat onbut nothing to worry about, and Appleby very smiley and looking fairly relaxed about all this. Appleby does however face away from his opponent throughout the introduction.

[superheavyrhun]

Round 1:

They both look to establish jabs, and fall into a clinch. Good flurry of straight shots from Appleby, but Pickering circling. Pickering with a right down the middle. Overhand right form Appleby, and pounces as Pickering on the run. Couple of body shots from Appleby, and a jab. Good jab and right hand from Appleby. Pickering comes back with a jab and a body shot, but not looking too fierce. Uppercut from Pickering, but Appleby throwing back. Pickering looking uncomfortable. Overhand right again and Pickering stunned. Counter right from Pickering, but not with the snap of Appleby's work.

Appleby in the ascendancy.
10-9

[superheavyrhun]

Round 2:

If Pickering thinks he can keep out of bother and pepper this guy from range, I think he needs to go to plan b. Swapping jabs early doors, but appleby doing the chasing, gets in a good right to the body. Trade body shots. Pickering jabs, but falls into a clinch. Body shot from Appleby, but Pickering with a short hook in the clinch. Decent uppercut from Pickering. Jab and body shot from Appleby. Another jab then a body shot form Pickering. Hard body shot from appleby, and two overhand rights, the second landing well. Another good body shot, and Pickering isn't really in it, with Appleby landing a fair few more.

Appleby, 20-18

[Tito BHB]

good luck to pickering!

He lives and trains near me in the next town from me in newark and his trainer carl greaves was a fighter at my gym.

Hope he does well, he has had a hard time in recent fights, i was there at the first sean hughes fight on the froch reid undercard in notts, nice to see he beat him in the rematch.

[superheavyrhun]

Round 3:

Appleby with two jabs and a body shot to start off. Appleby landing more jabs, but also gets more body shots off in the clinch. Three more hard body shots, then a jab, and a low shot strays low. Pickering gets in a rare jab, but caught on the way out by a hard right hook. Appleby teeing off on Pickering tonight so far. Left hook from Pickering, but takes a right in return. Appleby lands another couple of hooks, and Pickering needs to find Plan C or D, whichever he's on to now. Body shot and two hooks from Pickering, but not enough for a share of that one.

Appleby 30-27

[superheavyrhun]

Round 4:

Sorry Tito, nothing for Pickering so far. Pickering with a jab and a right before retreating. Jab from Appleby, then a flurry of jabs and short body shots. Two jabs form Pickering, then a body shot. Right hook form Pickering, then two body shots. More attacking this round. Body shot from Appleby, but he's being challenged this round. Jab and an uppercut from Pickering. Appleby with some body shots, and another flurry has Pickering retreating. Couple of body shots from Appleby, and a right hook in the corner. Appleby swinging, and another big right landing. Pickering takes a few big hooks, but comes back with two hooks, and moving before Appleby can counter.

Hard shots from Appleby give him a share of that one, better from Pickering.
40-37

[superheavyrhun]

Round 5:

Two jabs from Pickering then a clinch. Appleby gets a few body shots blocked, but Pickering seems to barely cause a dent, and Appleby always sends stinging shots his way. Body shot from Appleby, but Pickering gets in the jab. Jab and right hook catches Appleby off balance. Another right counter from Pickering, but Appleby launches a couple of body shots. Fine straight right from Appleby, then another body shot. Appleby giving a little yell with every punch, and two more "ya" 's come as he puts in a few hooks. Overhand right from Appleby.

Appleby 50-46 Easy really.

[superheavyrhun]

Round 6:

Pickeirng with a body shot and a jab, but takes a hook from Appleby. Clinch, and Appleby warned for throwing Pickering. Jab and a right from Appleby, but tied up again. Jabs from Appleby, but an overhand right from Pickering. Scruffy first 90 seconds, but two body shots from Appleby. Fine right and left counter combo from Pickering, but a left hook up top, and a right to the body from Appleby. Body shot from Appleby, and Pickering not moving or throwing enough. Appleby with a good right hand, and Pickering throws a straight right, but nothing else to follow up. Jab from Pickering, but Appleby throws three to the body.

Appleby 60-55

[superheavyrhun]

Round 7:

Secopnd half of the fight. Appleby throwing jabs early doors. Continuing to do so, along with a right hook landing nicely. Body shots from Appleby, and Pickering looking fairly static. Two short left and right hooks from Pickering, and two more rights as Appleby caught. Hard right hook from Appleby, then a body shot, and Pickering escapes to his left. Right hand from Pickering, and a body shot, but Appleby sends them back and harder. Picering caught with a vicious right hand coming out of the clinch. Body shots dig into Pickering once moer, and a body shot followed by a hook rattles him. Right hook lands as Pickering has 5 rounds left to find a KO, or a Pts miracle.

Appleby, 70-64

[superheavyrhun]

Round 8:

Pickering with a body shot and a hook. Tehntries an uppercut, and takes a jab for his trouble. Left hook coming out of the clinch by Pickering, and Appleby returns it with interest. Body shot from Pickiering, then ducking into a clinch. jab then a right from Pickering, blocks a body shot, then sends another right at Appleby. Appleby coming back with two big hooks, then a body shot, and another right hook, and Pickering rattled. Jab, then two more hooks and Appleby gets in a clinch. Jab and right from Pickering, and some body shots, but Appleby sneds back a right hook again.

Pickering worth a share of that one.
80-74