A star is born - Tom Doran
I have seen a lot of prospects in my time and in my advancing years I find that it is becoming harder and harder to impress me, to blow me away. I have seen it before, the 'great young prospect' is in reality, more likely to disappoint than go on to major honours, it's the way of the world. But after leaving the Deeside Leisure Centre on Saturday night after seeing Tom Doran give Walsall hard man Darren Gethin a serious working over I, and those around me, knew we had just seen something very special. His array of punches, speed, footwork, and not to mention power had many educated observers describing him as 'sure fire title winner.' It seems impossible to argue the point; something very special has been born.
The Oliver Harrison promoted show was an interesting mix of about eleven amateur bouts and three pro fights. The amateur fights showcased youngsters from Shotton ABC, who all displayed varying amounts of skill, yet no little heart. Interestingly enough, when the amateur show finished, numerous people left. It was like they had seen their friends/children box, they could go now, it was surreal. Those who left really have no idea what they missed.
Headlining of course, was Tom Doran, Welsh amateur starlet and professional hot prospect. He, as previously mentioned was facing off against Darren Gethin over six two minute rounds, a brilliant test for any newcomer to the pro ranks, a competitive fight you would think. Wrong.
From the first round Doran proved he was a league above his over matched foe. They always say speed kills and here was no exception. Doran immediately employed his ram-rod jab to back Gethin up. Quick lefts and rights would always follow, every one thrown with hurtful intent. From the word go Gethin has no answer, he was backed into the corner and continuously worked on. He was being made to look like a novice against a young kid.
Round two brought us more of the same and Doran continued to look special. It was more of the same, great jab, stinging lefts and rights to the head and body, Gethin looking like he wanted the night to come to an end but showing incredible bravery and resilience to stick it out, a true credit to the sport. What was striking was the fact that no punched were being wasted, this was pressure, but seriously educated pressure.
The next two rounds continued with the same theme, This was one way traffic, Doran looked so comfortable in the ring, there is no way he looked a three fight novice. This was championship quality boxing.
In round five a number of left hooks hurt Gethin. Doran's ability to move in and out of range was superb, while always throwing punches, That was what was destroying Gethin, the fact that at no point was he in range and able to start punching, he was too busy getting pinged with left and rights, it must have been seriously demoralising.
By round six it was obvious that Gethin would remain on his feet to the last bell and perhaps that was justice. At one point Doran pinned the Walsall man in the corner and landed about eight or nine decent shot, left, rights, uppercuts, a master-class.
As the final bell went Doran's hand was raised and a score of 60-54 was announced, a thoroughly deserved win.
But what will the future hold? The way I see it, I don't really think Doran will be serving a two year apprenticeship. There is no need. Once he can comfortably do eight-threes then I see a championship fight. There is no need to wait around, the bandwagon is rolling, and it will take a quality fighter to stop him.
On the under card Justin Jones continued his winning run and moved to 4(2)-0-1 with a third round knock-out of Lee Nicholson.
The fight started well enough for Jones. Decent jabs and occasional right hands soon established who was boss. Nicholson really didn't want to engage and the pattern for the fight was set.
Round two saw Jones try to work the body a bit more and he had good success, his opponent really didn't seem to be fancying it. Though Jones seemed a little one paced, his work was effective, especially against such and over matched foe.
Round three would prove to be the final round. More good work from Jones and then BANG, a right hand to the body, followed by a right to the head. Nicholson went down on one knee from which he was only to rise as the referee reached ten and the fight was stopped. Good performance from Jones, but he may need a bit more variety to mix it in championship class.
The show opener say Anthony Paul Davies win his second pro fight against veteran Delroy Spencer.
As in most Spencer fights the opening round seemed to be target practice for the prospect. The much taller Davies used the jab and brought in the right when necessary. Spencer, however was in no danger.
The second saw Davies move in and out of range and start to work the body more, his jab being very effective.
The third saw more of the same decent work by Davies, but Spencer had now weathered the storm and was now throwing more. Not enough to win the round of course, but the Chester man was now getting a good workout.
The fourth round began and you could see Davies wanted to stand and trade more, more power shots now came out of the arsenal, as if trying to subdue his opponent.
The fifth and sixth followed the same pattern. Davies was winning the rounds but Spencer was now working harder, trying to bull the youngster against the ropes. Delroy really is the kind of journeyman I like
The final bell came and Davies was declared the winner by 60-54. He will have harder night than this one, but I suspect that some of the tricks he learned tonight will be used in bigger fights than this.
So all in all a nice little show. But to me, and probably many others, the night will have one stand-out memory. It was the night that Tom Doran was confirmed as one of the top prospects, for not only this year, but possibly many a year.
