Wigan undercard: Williams stuns Place

Ben Carey at ringside: A fight which looked competitive on paper proved to be the opposite in the ring as Liverpool’s Steve Williams trounced Karl Place in two rounds in their British light-welterweight title eliminator. It had been scheduled for ten. Williams (9st 13lbs 8oz) took charge from the opening bell and forced Place into a shell as he teed off with some solid body shots. Towards the end of the first, Place (10st) was forced to absorb a hard right hand with his back to the ropes to end a worrying first session for the fancied Manchester fighter.

Williams continued to be the boss in round two as Place could only cover up rather than match his opponent’s fire. A succession of left hooks left Place woozy against the ropes, and as Karl tried to move away it was apparent that his legs had gone. With Place drunkenly lurching around the ring Williams steamed in, and when another overhand right wobbled Place referee Victor Loughlin was justified in calling it off with 22 seconds remaining in the session.

This was a terrific performance from Williams, who improves to 12-1 (5). The Liverpool fighter’s sole defeat came against Lenny Daws in a tenth round retirement when previously challenging for the British title. After this resounding result however, Williams will fancy his chances of taking on the winner between Ashley Theophane and Nigel Wright when they contest the British title next weekend. The outgunned Place, 15-1 (8) suffered the first defeat of his career after winning his previous 15.

Bolton stylist Rick Godding can’t be far away from challenging for titles after he put on an impressive exhibition to outclass Vinny Woolford in their welterweight battle over six-threes. Referee John Latham ruled 60-55 in Godding’s favour, presumably giving Woolford a share of one round, though it’s hard to fatham which session this could have been as Godding outclassed him for the entirety of the 18 minutes that they spent in the ring together.

Woolford, now 6-5-1, had won his last three coming into this but was well beaten here. Godding advances to 14-0 (1) and the only thing which appears to be missing from his make-up is a concussive dig.

Liverpool’s Nick Quigley (11st 6lbs 4oz) displayed a non-stop work ethic as he (quite literally) handed out a six-round pasting to Birmingham’s Dee Mitchell (also 11st 6lbs 4oz) but had to settle for a 60-54 points victory from referee Phil Edwards. Quigley, who lost to Robert Lloyd-Taylor in the Prizefighter light-middleweight final earlier this year, boasted considerable height and reach advantages over Mitchell but was intent on slugging it out in a phone-booth. The action quickly became repetitive as Quigley banged away to the body in close, occasionally switching to the head with uppercuts, as Mitchell soaked everything up.

I’ve checked my notes and I’m struggling to remember a punch of note which Mitchell landed as he was on the receiving end in every session. Quigley, who has a tendency to grunt, put everything into the final round and didn’t stop throwing leather, but try as he might he couldn’t budge the immovable object in front of him. Quigley is now 10-1 (0) but is yet to record a stoppage. Mitchell, who always mixes in good company, has now lost his last 14 and slips to 9-17-1.

James ‘Kid Shamrock’ Metcalf (11st 3lbs 5oz), the son of popular Liverpool warrior Shea Neary, made a successful debut with a 40-37 points win over Kevin McCauley (11st 4oz) in their four-round light-middleweight encounter. Metcalf, who is a dead ringer for his father, frequently forced McCauley (now 10-31-3) to hold after catching him with left hooks. The only obstacle Metcalf had to overcome was a cut above his left eye which he sustained in the opener following a clash of heads. ‘Kid Shamrock’ was never in difficulty though and produced an accomplished debut. Phil Edwards officiated.

Southpaw Ryan Aston from Dudley (11st 11lbs 6oz) chalked up his first stoppage in the pro ranks after he blitzed Welshman Joe Jones (11st 9lbs 40z) with 12 seconds remaining in the opening session. Aston was nice and relaxed throughout and did as he pleased against Jones who has lost all three of his contests. Ryan occasionally slapped with hooks to the body but was much more potent with his left hand which sent Jones to the canvas in a neutral corner. Joe rose gingerly at nine-and-a-half but was counted out in the act of rising by referee Phil Edwards. In truth, Jones never looked like he wanted to continue. Aston moves to 4-0 (1).

Former Commonwealth super-featherweight title challenger John Kays (9st 9lbs 5oz) could only manage a draw against perennial loser Pavels Senkovs (9st 7lbs 4oz) but it could have been much worse for the man from Ashton under Lyne. This contest, which was announced as being scheduled for six rounds but was cut to four, saw the Mansfield-based Senkovs fell Kays with a hard right hand in the opener. John started to climb to his feet but dropped back to one knee as he was still clearly dazed. He rose at eight but was soon under pressure again and was saved by the bell when another attack left him on unsteady legs against the ropes. A few more seconds could have seen referee John Latham intervene.

Kays stuck to his boxing rather than trade in rounds two and three, effectively circling the ring and drilling Senkovs with some accurate right hands of his own. John was hurt again though in the final session by a Senkovs right and forced to hold on. At the bell referee Latham held both fighters’ arms aloft after adjudging a 38-38 draw. A disappointed Kays remonstrated with the official afterwards but if anyone had a right to feel aggrieved it was Senkovs who was denied only the third win of his 45-fight career (2-39-4). Kays is now 14-2-1 and looked fragile.

In the show opener which got underway at 5.45pm, Londoner Lewis Pettitt (9st 3lbs 40z) blasted out Michael Stupart (9st 7oz) in just 1.15 seconds of the first round in their featherweight bout set for four-threes. Lewis backed Stupart to the ropes and connected with a solid right hand, and when a follow-up left hook froze Stupart, referee Latham wisely stepped in to prevent Michael from being badly knocked out. Pettitt impressed during the brief moments this contest lasted is now unbeaten in six (two wins early). In contrast, Stupart is now 0-2.

Liverpool’s former Commonwealth super-middleweight title challenger Carl Dilks returned to winning ways with a workmanlike four-round points win over Worksop journeyman Simeon Cover. Both men weighed in at a hefty 13st 5lbs and Dilks in particular looked in poor shape. This didn’t prevent Carl from boxing more aggressively than usual to dominate from start to finish and take a 40-36 points verdict. Trialist referee Alvin Finch (who did an excellent job of handling the action) officiated and John Latham scored from ringside. Dilks is now 15-4 (5) whereas Cover slips to 16-45-2.

In the show closer, Cheshire’s Nathan Clarke battled to an entertaining four-round draw against debutant Liam Ellis in their light-welter match-up. John Latham, scoring again from ringside for trialist referee Alvin Finch, couldn’t split them at 38-38 which leaves both boxers searching for their first win. Clarke (10st 3lbs 4oz) was stopped on his pro debut but showed no signs of being gun shy as he tore into Ellis (9st 13lbs 4oz) early on. Nathan’s attacks were crude and reckless at times compared with the more measured and economical work of Ellis. Clarke finished with a cut to his left eye.