Fight Night Review 16th June 2018

On Saturday night Newcastle hosted a packed night of boxing action, here’s my fight night review of all the action.

Kris George V Josh Kelly

Josh Kelly becomes the new Commonwealth champion with a 7th round stoppage in just his 7th fight.

In the 1st round Kelly started with his hands down moving well round the ring. It was a close opening round but I think Kelly may have edged it with the better quality punches. In the 2nd Kelly continued to use his boxing skills and foot work well I know it’s only his 7th fight but he needs to work on his defence as he’s walking into a lot of shots. The 3rd started a bit slower but the better punches where still coming from Kelly his work seems to be flowing well and that is when Kelly is dangerous when he can make his work flow. In the 4th Kelly just continued to box well, Kelly is winning the rounds but George is making a good fight of this. In the 5th Kelly was sticking to his game plan, Kelly is winning every round but George is making a good fight of this.

Going into the second half of the fight Kelly has won every round, but he has to make sure that he doesn’t switch off in this fight. In the 6th it looks like Kelly was looking to up the pace, it looks like he is able to walk through George’s best shots. Toward the end of the round Kelly landed a big upper cut which rock George but he made it to the bell. In the 7th Kelly is just able to pick George off and he was landing more power shots. George did look like he’d got a problem with his right hand as he turns southpaw. Now it looks like Kelly smells blood this one is not going to last much longer. At the end of the round George’s corner pulls him out with a broken hand.

Lewis Ritson V Paul Hyland Jr

Lewis Ritson retains his British title in fashion with a 1st round knockout.

In the 1st round Ritson came out looking to throw shots, he just started to tee off on Hyland. Then Ritson landed a big right hook and Hyland hits the canvas he beats the count but this one can’t go on much longer. Seconds later Ritson lands another right hand and Hyland goes down again to his credit he gets back up but I think the referee should stop this one. Once again Hyland hits the canvas again and the referee waved it off.

Gavin McDonnell V Stuart Hall

Gavin McDonnell put in a punch perfect performance to win a wide unanimous decision.

The 1st round started quite cagey both men just trying to find their range, it was a close round but I think McDonnell might have just edged it. In the 2nd round both men came out looking to work off the jab, this is still a close fight but McDonnell is winning with the better quality punches. In the 3rd McDonnell just picked up where he left off, and Hall just doesn’t look right McDonnell can’t miss at the moment. In the 4th McDonnell just continued to box beautifully, Hall needs to find away back into this fight because at the moment he’s just been out classed. In the 5th McDonnell just carried on fighting his fight and Hall can’t get near him, as we head to the second half of the fight Hall has got a mountain to climb.

Going into the second half of the fight McDonnell is boxing the best I’ve ever seen him winning every round. In the 6th McDonnell continued to use his jab and movement well he’s making Hall look like an old man. In the 7th McDonnell continued to box well it would be nice to see McDonnell close the distance and go for the stoppage, as he’s dominating Hall at range. The 8th was much the same as the rest of the fight, However Hall is starting to have some success but it’s not enough for him to win the round. In the 9th McDonnell came out landing nice shots to the body it looks like he may be looking for the stoppage, however the cut to McDonnell’s eye may mean that he needs to keep the fight at distance and box his way home. In the 10th McDonnell’s jab was still working really well, although Hall is starting to come into the fight but is it to little to late, Hall just refuse’s to quit. In the 11th McDonnell just stuck to his game plan and he’s constantly beating Hall to the punch.

Going into the final round I had McDonnell 10 rounds up, in the final round Hall gave everything he had but McDonnell was still just out boxing Hall. This is surely going to be a wide win for McDonnell.

Charlie Edwards V Anthony Nelson

Charlie Edwards puts in a career best performance to knockout Anthony Nelson in the 3rd round

In the 1st round Nelson came out looking to land big shots but nothing landed clean. Toward the end of the round Edwards started to take control with the better quality punches. In the 2nd Edwards continued to land good shots, then out of nowhere Edwards landed a huge upper cut and Nelson hit the canvas, he beat the count but it looks like his legs are gone he’s going to be lucky to make it to the bell. Edwards is now going looking for the finish landing a number of big shots , it looks like Nelson can’t get out of the way. Then Edwards lands a big body shot and he hits the canvas for the second time in the round. Once again Nelson beats the count but how much more can he take, somehow Nelson makes it to the bell. In the 3rd round Edwards came out looking for the finish he’s just able to pick Nelson off. With less than a minute to go in the round Edwards lands a massive right hand and Nelson goes down again and there was no way he was going to get up so the referee waved it off

Arfan Iqbal V Simon Vallily

Arfan Iqbal re retains his title after the fight ends in a draw.

In the 1st round both men were just trying to find their range and distance. Midd way through the round Vallily started to land some nice combinations and body shots but Iqbal took them well. In the 2nd Vallily came out looking to continue his good work from the last round. However in this round Iqbal was throwing a lot more shots this is shaping up to be a good fight. At the start of the 3rd Iqbal came out looking to make a fast start, but his shots are falling short. Throughout the whole round all the quality work was coming from Vallily, Although you can see that Iqbal carry’s power. In the 4th Vallily just continued to box well, if Iqbal has any hope of winning this fight he needs to up his work rate. However Iqbal is having more success but was it enough to win the round. In the 5th Iqbal did a good job of cutting off the ring but he still needs to throw more as all the good work is still coming from Vallily and he still looks like he’s got another gear he can go to.

Going into the second half of the fight I had Vallily 4 rounds up Iqbal needs a big second half. In the 6th Iqbal was trying to get down to work but nothing really was landing clean. Toward the end of the round Vallily was landing some good body shots. One thing to watch is that Vallily is starting to look like he’s feeling the pace. In the 7th Iqbal finally started to get his jab working this could be a Iqbal’s best round of the fight and Vallily looks exhausted. Vallily Has a point taken off after receiving a number of warnings from the referee. Going into the 8th Vallily looks like he’s got nothing left and Iqbal is starting to land big power shots, with less and less coming back from Vallily. This fight is turning into a nightmare for Vallily as he has another point taken by the referee that could change everything on the cards. In the 9th the fight has completely changed around Vallily’s got nothing left and he’s just trying to throw power shots, however the quality punches are now coming from Iqbal.

Going into the final round I had it a draw whoever wins the last round should win the fight. At the start of the round Vallily came out trying to land big shots. Overall it was a cagey round but then Vallily rocked Iqbal and he looked ready to go. At the final bell I had Vallily winning by 1 point.

Also On The Bill:

Glenn Foot: wins on points against an overmatched opponent

Hope you enjoyed the fights comment below and let me know your thoughts.