Wembley undercard: Saunders claims first professional title
Beijing Olympian Billy Joe Saunders (11st 5lbs 8oz) claimed his first professional title in his eleventh fight as he outscored Gary Boulden (11st 5lbs 12oz) to win the Southern Area middleweight championship after ten brisk rounds. Referee Ken Curtis’ 99-92 scorecard underlined Saunders’ dominance who went close to stopping Boulden in rounds four, nine and ten but the now former champion showed excellent survival skills to just about keep Saunders at bay.
Southpaw Saunders, now 11-0 (7), set a whirlwind pace from the start and although he largely maintained it his mouth did noticeably begin to gape open after halfway. Boulden, who finished the fight with a cut left eyebrow and heavy swelling to his face, resolutely hung in there but was hurt by a left uppercut and left hook in round nine as Saunders placed him under heavy siege. Boulden slips to 5-3-2 but he can feel proud to have made it to the final bell against a rampant young fighter in Saunders who appears to be going places.
George Michael Carman (10st 9lbs 8oz) can feel fortunate to still remain unbeaten after referee Bob Williams handed him a charitable 57-57 draw against the unfortunate Tom Bowen (10st 10lbs) in this six-three’s encounter. Carman, 6-0, going into this was denied time and space by Bowen (now 3-2-1) who whilst lacking in finesse never stopped pumping out his arms and going forward. Southpaw Carman needed to up his workrate but Bowen didn’t take his foot off the pedal for a moment and appeared to have done more than enough to spring an upset. Referee Williams thought otherwise though, much to the disgust of Bowen’s trainer Errol Johnson, who was also in Rob Norton’s corner when Norton was (controversially for some) relieved of his British cruiserweight title against Leon Williams last month.
Former England amateur Frankie Buglioni (12st 6lbs 8oz) won his pro debut in style by registering a first round knockout over Sabie Montieth (12st 10lbs). Both fighters got stuck in from the opening bell but it was Montieth who was first to taste Buglioni’s power. A left hook briefly froze Montieth, twisting him sideways in the process, and a follow-up right deposited him heavily to the canvas. Sabie made it onto one knee but was slow in getting to his feet and was counted out in the act of rising by referee Bob Williams with a minute remaining in the opener. The super-middleweight bout had been scheduled for four-three’s.
Luke Robinson (10st), son of former WBO featherweight champion Steve Robinson (who took charge of his son’s corner), advanced to 3-0 with a 39-37 points victory over the ever-willing Sid Razak (10st 2lbs 8oz). Luke, who had only limited amateur experience before turning pro, looked a little stiff at times and would have benefited from letting his punches flow more. Afterwards a self-critical Robinson revealed that he plans to step down to lightweight after this as he continues his ring education.
Former ABA finalist Bradley Skeete (10st 12lbs) impressed when stopping capable journeyman Jay Morris (10st 13lbs) in round five of a scheduled six at welterweight. The rangy Skeete boxed very well behind his jab and gradually busted Morris up who bled heavily from his nose. A number of pinpoint right hands from Skeete had Morris looking unsteady in the fourth who walked to referee Ken Curtis at the end of the round believing that the contest had only been set for four rounds. Skeete wasn’t about to let his opponent off the hook and a sustained attack to the body prompted Curtis to intervene just seconds into the fifth. A furious Morris immediately marched out of the ring in disgust but can have no complaints. He was simply being outclassed by Skeete who produced a career-best performance to improve to 5-0 (2).
