Fight Night Review 21st October 2017

On Saturday night The SSE Arena in Belfast played host to a packed night of action. Here’s my review of all the action.

Ryan Burnett V Zhanat Zhakiyanov

Ryan Burnett wins a wide unanimous decision to become Islands first ever unified world champion.

In the 1st round Zhakiyanov came out looking to be on the front foot and smother Burnett’s work in was a tight round with not much to split them to be honest it was a bit scrappy. In the 2nd round Zhakiyanov landed nice left and right hands. Burnett seemed to be walking on to shots. It was another close round but I think Zhakiyanov won this one. In the 3rd it looked like Zhakiyanov was beating Burnett to the punch. I think Burnett needs to try and get the fight at range because Zhakiyanov looks the stronger man. In the 4th it looked like Burnett was starting to use his boxing skill and he was starting to have success with some quality shots. In the 5th Burnett landed some quality condonations, Zhakiyanov was coming forward but the better shots where coming from Burnett.

Going into the second half of the fight I had Burnett 3 up, but this is a quality fight. Zhakiyanov started the 6th well landing a nice uppercut, then Burnett landed a nice shot of his own. This fight could be fought in a phone box. This round is probably Zhakiyanov’s best round for a while. In the 7th Zhakiyanov continued to move forward and land shots, but the better punches are still coming from Burnett. At the start of the 8th both men had their success’s it was a close round but the eye catching shots were coming from Burnett. In the 9th round Zhakiyanov did land some good shots, it looked like Burnett was going back to his boxing skills

Going into the championship rounds I still had Burnett 3 up it was a close hard fight. In the 10th was much like the rest of the fight close but with the better shots coming from Burnett. In the 11th it looked like Zhakiyanov tried to step on the gas as if he knew he needed the stoppage, but still the more powerful and quality shots were coming from Burnett.

Going into the final round I had it wide to Burnett. In the 12th both men were letting their hands go and Zhakiyanov seem to be having the better of it, but will it be enough.

Paul Hayland Jnr V Stephen Ormond

In a great fight Paul Hayland won a controversial split decision

In the 1st round Hayland came out trying to work off the jab, midd way through the round Ormond was on the front foot as Hayland was walking on to shots. Ormond continued to land body shots. Then toward the end of the round Hayland was starting to have success. Hayland started the 2nd round well landing rights and lefts. Hayland landed a nice body shot that rocked Ormond but he came back well. Hayland is landing some nice shots but he’s getting caught on the counter. This is shaping up to be a close fight. In the 3rd Hayland was landing shots to head and body he’s doing a better job in this round at keeping the fight at range so he doesn’t get caught on the counter. Toward the end of the round he sent Ormond to the canvas out of nowhere but Ormond beat the count. Hayland then went looking for the finish. In the 4th round Hayland continued to land good shots to the head and body and Ormond’s legs still looked rubbery. By the mid way point Ormond was starting to come back into it but Hayland was still landing the better shots. Hyland was having more success when he kept the fight at distance. In the 5th Hyland went back to his boxing skills working off the jab if Hayland keeps fighting at range he will win this fight, because Ormond is looking to land on the inside.

Going into the second half of the fight I had Hyland 2 up but he needs to keep it at range. In the 6th round both men had success but the cleaner work was coming from Hyland, as Ormond looked like he was reaching with his punches. In the 7th both men landed some good shots, it looks like both men are feeling the pace. Ormond may have just edge this round. In the 8th it looked like Ormond may have found a second wind as he’s landing some good shots and he’s moving well.

Coming into the championship rounds we will see what Hyland is made of because he’s never been this far before. At this point in the fight Ormond is having more success as Hyland is only throwing single shots. In the 10th Ormond continued to come on strong and Hyland looks tired and out of ideas. Throughout the round Ormond landed big body shots. In the 11th Ormond was doing a good job of cutting off the ring and landing shots. Hyland was rocked off a nice shot. I can’t remember one shot Hyland landed.

Going into the final round I had Ormond 2 up and I can’t see how Hyland is going to win this one, because he looks completely out of steam. Ormond was just happy to let his hands go.

At the final bell I had Ormond 3 up.

James Tennyson V Darren Traynor

What a great fight as James Tennyson scores a 3rd round knockout.

In the 1st round both men came out looking to work off the jab trying to find their range,but I think Tennyson just edged it with the better quality punches. At the start of the 2nd Tennyson landed a well time right which sent Traynor to the canvas but he beat the count, it looked more like a flash knock down. Tennyson then went looking for the finish rocking Traynor a number of times, the end could be near in this one. However Traynor came back well and sending Tennyson to the canvas off a nice looking body shot but the referee ruled it as a push, Wow what a round this has been. Toward the end of the round Traynor was definitely on the front foot as Tennyson looked ready to go. Both men are just going for it. At the start of the 3rd round Tennyson came out landing some good shots but Traynor just keeps coming back. Midd way through the round Tennyson rocked Traynor and again he came straight back landing one of his own. Toward the end of the round Tennyson landed a hard right hook which put Traynor on his back and the referee waved it off.

Anthony Fowler V Laszlo Fazekas

Anthony Fowler puts in a good boxing performance to win on points

In the 1st round Fowler was working well off the jab to head and body. As the round went on he started to land some power shots to the body. Fowler seems to be thinking more in this fight, and picking his punches well. At some point in the round there was a clash of heads and Fowler suffered a bad cut to his head. At the start of the 2nd Fowler continued to land the jab at will. The cut doesn’t seem to be bothering him. In the 3rd round he continued to land the jab well but now he’s starting to land condonations off it. The one thing Fowler need to watch is that he doesn’t start walking into shots.

Going into the second half of the fight Fowler has won every round he’s just got to watch that he doesn’t start getting careless, and start loading up too much. In the 4th Fowler landed some nice body shots but Fazekas took them well. Midd way through the round Fowler seems to be having more and more success to the body. It would be nice to see Fowler double up with the jab then go back to the body. In the 5th Fowler continued to box well he may not get the stoppage but Fowler will have learnt a lot from this fight. In the final round it looks like Fowler has stepped on the gas looking for the knockout, but if was nice to see him stick to his boxing skill rather than just going hell for leather looking for the stoppage

Also on the bill:

Josh Kelly: Put in a punch perfect performance to stop his opponent in the 2nd round and move to 4-0.