On an a stacked card from Birmingham, England in front of around 8,000 at the LG Arena Frank Warren matched several of his up and comers in intriguing fights. Notably Nathan Cleverly beat Karo Murat in a WBO Light Heavyweight eliminator & Olympic gold medallist James Degale put on his best performance so far vanquishing Carl Dilks easily. Both appear to have the star power to follow on from here to win World Titles.
The bumper PPV started at 6pm with James “Chunky” Degale 8-0(6) getting things underway against Carl Dilks 14-3(5). Though he was favoured to win, it was expected to be Degale‘s, toughest test to date and provide him with rounds and more experience. It turned out to be anything but that as Degale had far to much speed and power for a shell shocked Dilks. In the final 10 seconds of the round Degale opened up sending Dilks back into the ropes, he followed up before referee Howard Foster Jnr stepped in for what looked a premature stoppage at 2.54 of the first. However Dilks was already bleeding from the left eye and nose and seemed not to have a problem with the stoppage.
Originally Ryan Rhodes was supposed to defend his European title against Lukas Konecny 45-3(21) however when Rhodes fell out with injury Matthew Hall 23-3(16) who was due to fight a week later was drafted in to face Konecny for the vacant EBU crown. It was a fight that promised much, both guys appeared mirror images of each other both short, with shaved heads and similar all action styles. From the first bell both stood in close and fought at close distance. Hall was busier early on while Konecny was more accurate. The Czech Konecny picked his way through dropping Hall near the ropes mid way through the sixth, Konecny used his greater experience to quickly follow up and drop Hall for a second time prompting the stoppage at 1.53 of the sixth.
The third fight of the PPV was Wales rising star Nathan Cleverly 20-0(10) against fellow unbeaten Karo Murat 22-1(13) an electric crowd responded to both men’s entrance’s. From the first bell Cleverly neutralised his greater hand and foot speed picking his way through Murat’s high held guard. After three rounds Cleverly looked fantastic picking apart Murat who showed considerable resolve taking so many shots. Murat who is an Arthur Abraham hybrid looked to close the distance and though he did land some punches he had to take 3 or 4 to land one. Things got worse for Murat in the eighth when a slashing punch cut him across the nose. Finally Murat was retired at the end of the ninth round on the advice of the ringside doctor. It was vintage Cleverly all the way he later admitted he took a few chances because he believes in his own ability and wants to be exciting.With the win Cleverly became the mandatory for Jurgen Braehmer who has to face Cleverly next. The status of Braehmer is up in the air, because of a previous indiscretion he could be incarcerated. He’s currently appealing against this if he successful he has to face Cleverly next if not Cleverly will be named the new WBO Champion.
The much anticipated Kell Brook 22-0(15) & Michael Jennings 36-3(17) fight finally took place however it ended anticlimatically when Jennings was cut in the fifth soon after the fight was called off. After a quite start in which Brook seemed to take a look at what Jennings had to offer he slowly picked his way through until the cut forced an end to the fight at 47 of the fifth. With the win Brook retained his British & WBO Inter-Continental Welterweight titles also reaffirming himself as the number 1 contender for the WBO title currently held by Manny Pacquiao. It is hoped Pacquiao will vacate because of the Margarito fight taking palce at Light Middleweight allowing Brook to fight for the next available contender.
In a rematch from 2 years ago Heavyweights Sam Sexton 13-2(6) & Dereck Chisora 14-0(9) met for the British & Commonwealth titles. There was bad blood between the two, Frank Warren had to stand between them at the Weigh in when it threatened to boil over. The action began when both guys got involved early both having there moments. By the midway point Chisora was getting the better of things. In the final minute of the ninth Chisora put his punches together hurting Sexton who dropped to the canvas though he rose he was allowed to carry on, Chisora who’s an excellent finisher jumped on him and fired away until referee stepped in and called a holt to the action with Sexton in no position to defend himself with seven seconds left in the round.
The knockout of the night maybe the year came in the action packed Enzo Maccarinelli 32-5(25) & Alexander Frenkel 23-0(18) fight. After a lively start in which Maccarinelli appeared to be getting the better of things stalking his European title challenger. Though the wild shoot out expected by many never took place it seemed more a war of attrition. In the seventh both guys threw punches Frankel’s left hook landed hard pitching Maccarinelli backwards and down hard. Always a proud warrior he rose on unsteady legs and much to many in attendance chagrin was allowed to carry on. Frenkel charged over landing another monster left hook that nearly decapitated Maccarinelli who went down heavily. The fight was instantly waved over at 2.30. There were a few anxious moments as Maccarinelli received oxygen thankfully he appeared ok leaving the ring under his own steam. While Frenkel can look to fight the big names at Cruiserweight it must be the end for Maccarinelli who won the WBO title in a storied career.
The final fight of “The Magnificent Seven” saw local Matthew Macklin 27-2(19) win the European Middleweight title for the second time when he dismantled game but over matched late substitute Shalva Jombardashvili as he systematically broke him down over 5 rounds before the fight was called off early in the sixth. Macklin who hadn’t fought in nine months showed no signs of ring rust.
Former World Amateur champion Frankie Gavin improved to 8-0(7) with a workmanlike fifth round stoppage over game Michael Kelly for the Vacant Irish title. Gavin dictated the action behind a steady jab and picked apart Kelly before the stoppage at 2.59 of the fifth.
Also in action Light Middleweight Joe Selkirk 5-0(3) stopped Jan Cernouskis 4-8(4) at 2.17 of the fourth and final round.
At Welterweight Ronnie Heffron 3-0(2) went the distance for the first time against Billy Smith 12-82-2(7).
Afterward Frank Warren said his 30 year anniversary of promoting will be this December when he will stage another bumper bill on the 11th presumably as the British leg before Khan-Maidana. He said he intends to once again have a big show with Cleverly, Macklin, Brook among others appearing along with a come backing Kevin Mitchell with Billy Joe Saunders hopefully coming back from injury.?
Arthur Abraham, Sebastian Sylvester & Marco Huck were in attendance to support Kurat & Frenkel. Also watching were Naseem Hamed supporting friend Kell Brook, Paul & Stephen Smith, Tony Bellew, Billy Joe Saunders, newly minted WBO 130 champion Ricky Burns who was presented the title in the ring between on of the fights, Amir Khan who worked the PPV for Sky TV, David Haye & George Groves were also ringside.
