Goresbrook undercard review - Haywood gains revenge
Aside from the main event between flyweights Shinny Bayaar and Ashley Sexton and the three heavyweights in action (Larry Olubamiwo, Tom Dallas and David Price - see previous report), Frank Maloney's undercard threw up several engaging performances and contests at the Goresbrook Lesiure Centre in Dagenham on Friday night.
Derby’s Scott Haywood (10st 9lbs 4oz) gained revenge over Ramsgate’s Scott Woolford (10st 6 ¼ lbs) with an impressive display of carefully measured boxing over six rounds at welterweight.
The two first clashed last November when Haywood seemed to be heading for victory before a cut over Haywood’s eye forced a fourth round stoppage. This time around, Woolford was never able to deal with Haywood’s silky skills despite trying to lure him into a brawl.
Haywood resisted the temptation to fight fire with fire preferring to defuse Woolford’s fuel by keeping his hands high while taking the centre of the ring and scoring at range. Woolford looked slightly fleshy and had no answer even though Haywood was one paced throughout. Referee Ken Curtis scored 59-56 for Haywood.
First fight of the night saw a mini slug fest between Crayford’s Menay Edwards (13st 8lbs) and Welshman Hari Miles (13st 5lbs) at cruiserweight. Edwards came into the ring in sculptured physical condition while Miles caught the eye with his dyed red hair.
Both men were disinterested in defence or footwork which made it all the more exciting for the few fans in attendance at the start of the show but it was the higher volume of Edward’s jabs and heavy right hands that gave him the overall edge.
In the fifth round both withstood heavy punches with Miles looking badly hurt but fighting back to make it to the end of the six rounds. At the finish, Edwards leant over the ropes and shouted “I earnt my money tonight, Glenn.” aimed at SKY Sports analyst Glenn McCrory) He was right as both he and Hari sported heavily bruised eyes afterwards.
It was Edwards though who took the 60-56 points verdict. He moves to 3-0 while Miles drops to 5-2.
Unbeaten Light-middleweight prospects Ercik Ochieng (11st 3lbs) and Curtis Valentine (11st 4lbs) met over four rounds. Nottingham’s Valentine charged straight towards Hackney’s Ochieng and connected with a solid right hand to the head from the off. Ochieng looked hurt but kept his composure and should have been credited with a knockdown later in the opening round.
After appearing to slip in a neutral corner Valentine quickly rose and unleashed a volley of blows at the surprised Ochieng. Much of the remaining action took place at close quarters in a difficult fight to score.
Valentine looked the heavier hitter but Ochieng remained solid and loosened up as the fight progressed. I scored it a draw but the official decision was 39-37 for Ochieng who moves to 4-0 while Valentine drops to 2-1.
41 year-old and 111 fight veteran Delroy Spencer (8st 12lbs) met debutant and 19- year-old Lewis Petitt (8st 13 lbs ¼ oz) over four rounds at featherweight.The new professional from Crayford in Kent had sold over 100 tickets and trainer Alan Smith obviously has high hopes for his charge after matchingg him with one of the country's most experienced fighters on his pro debut.
Spencer quickly went into survival mode but occasionally sprung out of his tight defence, opening up and catching Pettitt. Lewis found success close up but a higher work rate would have seen him dominate a wise campaigner, but he still ran out a 39-37 winner in a hard debut.
Kent’s Martin Welsh (10st 10lbs) scored a 59-55 win over Atherton’s William Warburton (10st 9lbs). Undefeated Welsh took his tally to 6-0 by staying on the front foot, popping out jabs and right hands.
Welsh stayed out of range for the opening four rounds but was hurt when engaging in close by the end of the fifth. Warburton caught Welsh on the ropes in the final round and Welsh finished with a cut over his left eye.
