Defenceless Doran needs to go back to the drawing board
On paper, Tom Doran’s first round stoppage victory over Max Maxwell looks mighty impressive. But in reality it was a 202-second rollercoaster the unbeaten light-middleweight will never want to ride again.
The 23-year-old was very fortunate to be awarded a first-round victory over Maxwell at Deeside leisure centre last Friday night. The Connah’s Quay prospect walked through the first minute without a guard and was rocked on a couple of occasions. He seemed very, very easy to hit. Then big shots from the Birmingham-based Jamaican (14-10) led to referee Howard Foster giving the home fighter a standing eight-count, something that’s not in the British Boxing Board of Control rules.
So it was bad news for Doran.
That was until he recovered, gained composure and landed a huge right hand of his own to send Maxwell sprawling against the ropes. To everyone’s amazement, the referee jumped in before he had the chance to hit Maxwell again and it was all over.
I know ‘Dazzlin’ Doran’s fans will say Foster was right to stop it, but if I’m honest his fans could be part of the problem. The 10-fight novice flew out of the blocks and was looking to load up from the bell. He seemed more interested in performing for the crowd than using his head, and to be fair that’s understandable. Had I been boxing in my locality in front of hundreds of family and friends - as well as promoter and former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton - the temptation would be to put on a show. But had Doran boxed smart and used his superior jab he would have dominated and dismantled the rugged Maxwell.
He didn’t, he abandoned his silky skills and went after him from the off; Doran’s lack of head movement was disappointing, and as for his defence? What defence? If he is to progress to become British champion, and this was an eliminator for a title shot, then he needs to go back to the drawing board.
How can I say that after he won in the first round? Anyone who saw the fight does not need to ask that question. Doran needs to tighten-up his guard, stay focused on the job in hand - which will soon involve going the distance - and he could really go places, as I’ve predicted he will since he turned professional at the same venue two years ago.
He has all of the tools in his locker, he just needs a defence to match his offence and the Flintshire man will be in business.
I tried calling Doran and his trainer this week but sadly both were unavailable for comment.
In a real shock on the same card, Rhyl’s Justin Jones (now 4-2-2) was beaten by Elvis Dube of Derby over four threes. It was a match the Prizefighter semi-finalist had been expected to win and will be a seen as a great setback in his career. Sad news for Justin, who is a lot better than his record suggests. I hope he gets back to winning ways soon; he needs much more regular action.
