Nav loses direction as Wilson’s ‘0’ is wiped out

Dave Coldwell carried on his admirable habit of stepping up his young prospects on this sun kissed Sunday afternoon bill in Rotherham. Topping the bill was perennially well supported local Navid “Nav” Mansouri (11st 2lbs) in a six-threes middleweight contest against 34 year-old Brummie Dee Mitchell (10st 13 1/4lbs).

On paper Mitchell is a fighter in decline, not winning since a 2009 victory over Concepcion and losing the following nine since. The reality is he is clearly the most powerful opponent Nav (pictured, with Coldwell) has faced, and two fights ago caused Glen Foot all sorts of problems at The Dome earlier this year.

The first started with Mitchell eagerly trying to cut off Nav’s space. Nav did the right thing and flicked his jab out keeping the heavier man at range. Most of his work in the first was based around the jab and he continued to look like an evasive fighter who can get himself out of trouble pretty quickly. Towards the end of the round Mitchell had some success landing a good left.

Mitchell started flicking a left jab and big arcing right in the second, and midway through the session Nav seemed to show signs he was struggling with the power of Mitchell. A right hook by Mitchell then put Nav down for what I believe is his first time in the pro ranks. He took the eight count and although clearly not hurt, a look of concern was etched upon his face. As ever in these situations, Mitchell's tail was now up and he threw leather frantically. Nav’s corner demanded he keep his left up to prevent the sucker punch landing again.

Mitchell decided to use his bulk to bully Nav throughout the third and was cautioned early doors for throwing his opponent. It was not all rough house tactics from Mitchell however as he landed clean left hooks. In the untidy but to and fro round, Nav was kept at bay from any sustained attack by Mitchell's strength alone. The home fighter brought cheers from his fans as he landed a straight left and right uppercut combo. In a clinch towards the end Nav fired off a flurry of body shots, but although Mitchell was looking the more tired, the shots lacked any real sting.

Mitchell had by the fourth realised that his best success was the big right over his opponent's low left guard. It was astonishing how much success he had with this against a prospect noted for his defensive skills. He was also growing in confidence by the round and realising he could bully his way to victory, in a scrappy round Mitchell was the aggressor and probably done enough to take it. The fifth started with Mike Alexander telling the two to tidy it up. Nav obliged by trying to get back to boxing as he did at the start, flicking a searching left jab followed by a straight right down the pipe to keep Mitchell at bay. Mitchell landed a left hook round Nav’s increasingly poor guard. Nav who had appeared to be feeling sorry for himself in the previous two rounds was more fired up now and landed good body shots in response, before going upstairs, and winning the round.

By the final round Mitchell was vastly confident he was in front. He was the most mobile he had been all fight weaving out of the way of the Nav’s increasingly desperate shots. Nav tried more work on his body which was having the most success, and finished the round fairly strong. The contest was scored a draw at 57-57. This was probably the best Nav could of hoped for considering the knock down as he goes to 7(2)-0-1 and remains unbeaten. Mitchell had the greater claim to get the decision, and goes to 9(2)-13(1)-1.

Another intriguing step up by Coldwell Promotions saw Jerome Wilson (10st 10 3/4lbs) take on one time Curtis Woodhouse conqueror Jay Morris (10st 12 1/2lbs).The “Isle Of Wight Assassin” has an inconsistent record, with victories recent enough to be considered much more than a journeyman brought in to make the prospect look good. Wilson in his fist fight since a much hyped KO on the Haye-Harrison undercard, has a low crouching style, and looked confident and powerful as he flicked a stiff jab into his opponent's face, at the start of the first of four, three-minute rounds. Morris quickly decided to make this a messy fight where possible, to nullify Wilson's power and skills. In an early tangle Morris came away with a cut above his left brow from an accidental head clash. Wilson’s corner was telling their man from the start to go downstairs when the action was close; he failed to do this. Morris became a bit more encouraged and flicked a few jabs toward Wilson which he avoided easily and took the first.

The second was dominated with holding instigated by Morris and Wilson continuing to ignore his corners instructions to go downstairs and persist in his jabbing even at close quarters. Morris was also sliding in some old pro tricks of below belt shots whilst blind side of the referee, all the while upsetting Wilson, as he lost the round in an almost bewildered fashion, despite landing cleaner shots to the end.

Wilson landed some better shots than Morris in the third also but it was Morris who was probably the more aggressive, and certainly the dirtier of the two. Wilson again fought his own fight to the exasperation of his corner, he still failed to turn his attention to Morris ‘s body despite his heavier breathing to the end. By the end of the third it was clear he had been dragged into a messy war and Morris’s plan.

Mike Alexander told the two to keep it clean going into the final stanza, after Wilson had taken a number of low shots. Morris landed a good body shot early as Wilson continued to struggle. He did appear to find his rhythm a bit more in the second half and the right started to take its toll on Morris as he slipped into semi survival mode. Morris had done enough to upset Wilson rhythm throughout the fight, and was giving the decision 39-38. Wilson could arguably of been given a draw for this despite his lack lustre performance. Hopefully he will learn from the rough house tricks he was exposed to, and come back a more complete adaptable boxer. Hopefully he will pay more attention to his corner in future. He goes to 4(2)-1-0, as Morris goes to 14(4)-18(9)-2, and continues to frustrate Coldwell promotions.

Ex-Coldwell trained Curtis Woodhouse (10st 11 1/4lb) got a run out in a light middle bout against midland jouneyman Billy Smith (11st 2lbs). Curtis was supposed to fight on new trainer Glyn Rhodes' bill later this month, but with that bill collapsing, he was offered a run out with his ex-trainer but still manager and friend Dave Coldwell. The fight was scheduled for four-threes. Woodhouse was solid throughout the first, landing some good lefts. Smith’s only contribution of note was a body blow that almost surprised Woodhouse.

The next round saw Woodhouse land a left under his opponent’s guard. Smith started to fire a few more shots off and again and had some success to the body. This was short lived as Woodhouse landed a cracking short left, that took the breath out of Smith as he took a knee. He failed to make the count and Mike Alexander called a halt to proceedings at 1:24 of the second. Woodhouse goes to 15(10)-2-0.

The afternoon's action got underway with 37 year-old Leeds southpaw Lee Murtagh (11st 13 1/4lb) v Walsall’s Bobby Wood (12st 2lbs) in six-twos super-middle contest. The first round was difficult to separate with perhaps more punches been landed by Murtagh, albeit at one at a time. Murtagh worked the jab more in the second as he kept the work long, as instructed.

Lee Murtagh continued to be the aggressor in the third and a six shot salvo put Wood into the corner. A good body shot followed and Murtagh was able to back off and land a good right jab. Woods was impressive at the start of the fourth, but a left right left combination by Murtagh quickly re-established his position, and he closed the round with a body assault that was starting to become a more favoured attack.

Wood had been cautious all fight and was not changing for the final two. Murtagh’s jabs continued to find their way through, pinning Wood to the ropes and allowing him to work the body more. Wood got through in the final round but Murtagh was even superior on the counter. He was able to stop any fight back plans from Wood by leaning in on his opponent during clinches. Murtagh got the decision 60-55.

Also on the bill was a late scheduled six-twos light-heavy contest between Sheffield duo Wayne Reed (12st 12 1/4lbs) and Dean Walker (12st 10lbs). Reed was fresh from his frustrating appearance in last month's Prizefighter, and took it out on his good friend Walker from round one, landing a good right straight after the first bell. Walker looked nervous throughout proceedings, Reed was the opposite a picture of calm often stepping back seemingly to control his aggression. It was so one-sided that by the second session Reed's hands were by his side where they remained for most of the fight.

There was no respite for Walker in the third, as Reed fired short hooks around Walker's guard, Walker flicked a jab back but it was a punitive effort. Reed then notched up a gear and went for the body. The fourth saw more concentration in this region as Reed landed a seven shot salvo of uppercuts and body blows. Walker to his credit, took this and threw a bit more leather but was still vastly dominated. The final two rounds were pretty much the same fair but Walker saw it out and was generously given a share of one round, as Reed took the fight 60-55. The MC went on to announce these guys are best of friends, but today was strictly business.

Some fans would say that Nav and Jerome have been stepped up to early. It certainly seems a trait of Dave Coldwell to challenge the prospects he is involved with much quicker than many of the bigger name trainers, promoters or managers operating. Personally I think this is a breath of fresh air. Wilson and Mansouri have learned a lot more about themselves from these fights than another seven wins over hand-picked, non-threats to pad a record; that may or may not get TV, or title sanctioning bodies interested. But therein lies the conundrum.