Prizefighter: Opening shots
Prizefighter - The Cruiserweights II was the Friday night attraction at East London’s York Hall.
Celebrating their two year anniversary, Matchroom’s ‘knockout tournament’ has thrilled disgruntled boxing fans with quick fire action while drawing a fresh and younger audience keen on tasting live pugilism.
I have heard a well known promoter suggest that while prizefighter is okay it doesn’t take a fighter’s career anywhere but of the ten previous series, winners Martin Rogan, Sam Sexton and Audley Harisson have all gone on to bigger and better things.
Prizefighter is renowned for giving an opportunity to the newcomer, both former domestic and world champions and solid professionals.
Tonight’s action got under way with the seasoned but younger 33-year-old Mark Krence (24-7) hoping his experience would prevail over Zahid Kahut who at 34 came into the ring with a record representing one of a newcomer at 4-1.
Krence (14st 5lbs) had started his professional career on a high going 11-0 before meeting Audley Harrison in 2002 and despite having many setbacks since when the action got under way it was obvious he was still too hot for Kahut. (14st 3lbs)
The Yorkshireman had come to the ring hooded but he would have found full body armour a little more useful as Chesterfield’s Krence stiff shots to the head and then body had Kahut sagging down in a corner.
He did well to last the round despite looking dazed and breathing heavy on his return to the corner. In the second Kahut began fighting back in desperation having success with an uppercut and in the third caught Krence more frequently but overall he was out of his depth.
Before the verdict Kahut leaned over the ropes looking towards the press row before the scores of 30-26, 30-26 and 30-27 were read out.
Victor Loughlin refereed.
After eventual winner Jon-Lewis Dickinson had set out on his road to glory, Belfast’s Darren Corbett 28-5-1 squared off with Doncaster’s Jon Anthony 7-11.
Corbett (14st 6lbs - absolutely no way, Ed.) was put straight on the back foot by Anthony (14st 4lbs 11oz) but replied with a good shot to the body and had further joy with several left hands and an over hand right.
Corbett was in no mood to ‘play clean’ and was warned by referee Richie Davies for hitting Anthony on the back of his head. And it wasn’t just the referee given him stern instructions as his corner shouted ‘throw a left hook and get your hands up.’
Davies was in no mood for some seconds in the penultimate round and let both men know before they continued. This helped to turn it into a scrappy contest with Anthony grabbing at every opportunity before being told to stop.
They touched gloves at the start of the third as Corbett smiled. And it was Corbett who pressed to make the fight with a solid left and two hard rights to Anthony’s body.
Corbett’s corner was told to quiet down before Corbett slightly fell down before being interviewed upon victory.
All three judges scored 30-27.
Herbie Hide was at the centre of attention once again. He seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory against the youngest man in the competition 23-year-old Wayne Brooks after flooring him in the first round. Brooks bravely got up and was in no mood to give up
Hide (14st 4lbs ½ oz) threw spiteful shots wanting to finish the job quickly but in the last 30 seconds of the opener was caught by two good punches.
At ringside we thought it was just a matter of time before Herbie made his way to the semi-final but in the second Brooks (14st 3lbs 3oz) took the fight to him and it paid off.
A clash of heads opened a nasty cut above Hide’s right eye and as the blood began to flow and looking hugely worried he was called to his corner before the eye was wiped and he was allowed to continue.
Brooks grew in confidence of a stoppage but Herbie’s corner done a great job to stem the flow of blood in the interval.
In the third round Brooks too sustained a cut over his right eye but this was courtesy of Hides heavy hands.
Promoter Barry Hearn cheered Hide to a points victory 30-25, 30-25 and 30-26.
