Prince Charming as he storms to British title win over brave Webb
Just 23 years old, always a Prince was last night crowned a King after a brilliant displaying in dethroning British light-middleweight champion Sam Webb.
Droylsden’s Prince Arron burst onto the wider boxing scene early last year by winning the light-middleweight Prizefighter, but has now proved himself at the top class domestic level after brutally ripping away the 11st Lonsdale belt Webb had dreamed of making his own with a 12th round stoppage in Gillingham.
Both men came into the contest on the back of their finest career form and had asserted beforehand that they had the beating of the other. The feeling in the trade and around The Medway Park Leisure Centre ringside last night was that Webb would prevail in a close and intriguing contest. And the first four rounds gave weight to that vision as champion Webb (10st 13lb 8oz) moved elusively, while catching Arron (10st 13lb 4oz) to the body and head.
Sam’s accuracy was the key factor in building an early fight lead and Arron’s head was in motion several times as a result. Webb started the opening rounds in similar feinting fashion and by the third round the pretender to the throne was already marking up.
Before the fifth round Arron looked a little subdued, and far from the confident prodigy that Prizefighter had introduced us to. Hindsight now reflects Arron had a master plan he would brilliantly execute, but it came as a huge surprise to Webb, the punters at ringside and the Sky audience.
Early in the fifth round as I stood with trainer Dominic Ingle we both boldly proclaimed a no contest as Sam raced ahead. I am not suggesting Prince heard us but no sooner had the words left our mouths Webb was on the canvas courtesy of an Arron right hand to the top of his head, which was followed by a left. Sam went down heavily and looked as if he wouldn’t beat the count.
Ingle said “fight’s over.” On reflection of what took place over the next half-hour maybe if Sam agreed the story would have read a little more pleasantly. But Webb, now 17-2, displayed the heart of a lion as he shipped heavy and accurate head shots, but referee Victor Loughlin resisted the lure of ending his reign, preferring to give the gladiator time.
Despite Sam bravely standing and fighting right up to the stoppage he seemed a pale shadow of the man who had so brilliantly schooled Martin Concepcion last October. Further knock downs followed in the ninth (although no count was administered) and in the 12th when Arron (21-3-1) connected with an uppercut. Amazingly Webb rose again but was subjected to a barrage of punches and as he somehow stood up trapped in a corner before Loughlin rescued him at 1:47.
Webb was given oxygen and taken to hospital as a precaution but his trainer Alan Smith revealed this morning that apart from his pride being hurt Sam is fine. Smith and Webb are close friends who socialise together and added he was faced with a tough call last night.
“I was going to chuck the towel in (at the end of the fifth) (it’s) a real hard call.”
Smith added Sam had perforated his ear drum as a result of that shot to the head and subsequently depleted all strength in his legs in the fifth, yet sportingly paid tribute to the new champion.
“No excuses, good luck to him. Prince is very clever and a lot stronger than I thought he was. After the first four rounds I said to Mick (Williamson) this is going to be so easy.
“(It was) perfect tactics, James Cook, Adam Booth and Dave Coldwell all said Sam looked world class in the first four rounds.
“Going into the 12th Sam was two to three rounds ahead on the judge’s scorecards.”
Despite the scoring Smith has a sense of regret and wished he pulled Sam out after the 11th but happily reported the beaten champion is resting at home with his family. However, in these circumstances the superb performance of Prince can easily be overshadowed, but great credit should go to him, trainer Bob Shannon and his manager Tommy Gilmour.
Arron has progressed from two early career stoppages to becoming British champion. And Sam can also take heart from his nemesis that defeat can be a great learning curve.
The Prince has become King.
