Fight Night Review 8th September 2018

On Saturday night the Arena Birmingham hosted a packed night of boxing action. Here’s my fight night review of all the action.

Amir Khan V Samuel Vargas

Amir Khan came off the canvas to win a unanimous decision over a very brave and game opponent.

In the 1st round Khan got straight down to work landing big shots but then doing a good job of mixing it up with his boxing skills then getting out of range. Midway through the round he rocked Vargas and he looked ready to go he couldn’t cope with Khan’s hand speed or power. In the opening seconds of the 2nd Khan put Vargas on the canvas he beat the count. However he continued to take a lot of punishment for the rest of the round. Then with seconds left in the round Khan’s chin was questioned and once again it was found lacking as he hit the canvas hard. The 3rd started slowly then Khan timed the perfect shot and Vargas went down again, he very quickly beat the count now Khan went looking for the finish but somehow Vargas made it to the bell. Khan started the 4th using his boxing skills setting Vargas up with the jab than working the body. Then Khan started to tee off again rocking Vargas once again. At the start of the 5th it was Vargas throwing the power shots but Khan came back well landing punch after punch of his own.

Going into the second half of the fight I had Khan 4 rounds up but I can’t see this one going to the judges . In the 6th Khan was pinned on the ropes at the start but he soon took control, but Vargas is showing everyone that he’s got a big heart and an Iron jaw. In the 7th Khan continued to land big power shots but Vargas was taking them well and coming back with shots of his own. The 8th started slowly both men must have been feeling the pace. It looked like both were taking this round off as they were both just throwing jabs. Then at the end of the round Khan did land some good shots. Khan started the 9th working off the jab but it looked to me. like he was starting to run out of gas. Once again he rocked Vargas but he couldn’t keep up the attack. At the start of the 10th both men went toe to toe with Khan getting the better of it. By the midway point in the round Khan was on the run Vargas was Looking the more likely to get the stoppage. In the 11th Khan came back well but Vargas would not quit.

Going into the final round I had Khan 2 rounds up in the 12th both men continued to land big shots but Vargas still looked the fresher of the two the round itself was a bit scrappy with neither man landing anything clean.

Sam Eggington V Hassan Mwakinyo

Hassan Mwakinyo shocked Birmingham and Sam Eggington as he is stopped in the 2nd round.

In the 1st round Eggington came out looking to back Mwakinyo up then land the power shot, it looked like he really wanted to put on a show in front of his hometown crowd. Then at the end of the round he got careless and was rocked with a shot. At the start of the 2nd Mwakinyo came out looking to take Eggington out and he was able to land at will with nothing coming back from Eggington which gave the referee no choice but to stop the fight.

Jason Welborn V Tommy Langford

After an amazing 12 rounds Jason Welborn retains his British title with a tight split decision.

The 1st started a bit cagey both just trying to find their range, but by the midway point in the round the punches started to flow then with seconds left in the round Welborn put Langford on the canvas with a big right hand but he beat the count and made it to the bell. At the start of the 2nd Langford didn’t look fully recovered if Welborn could land one more good shot the fight would be over by the midway point in the round Langford’s legs looked back under him but he was still taking a lot of shots. At the start of the 3rd Langford landed some power shots of his own which seemed to rock Welborn. Then out of nowhere Langford took one clean on the jaw and he hit the canvas again he beat the count and struggled through the rest of the round. In the 4th it look like Welborn was going looking for the finish but he was only looking for one big shot instead of using his boxing skills. Then Langford started to have success of his own. In the 5th Langford started to throw power shots I think he knows that the only way he was going to win this fight would be by knockout.

Going into the second half of the fight I had it wide to Welborn and to be honest I can’t see away back for Langford. In the 6th Welborn continued to land good shots, but he needs to stop throwing single shots and go back to combinations. In the 7th Langford was throwing a number of good body shots and it looks like Welborn’s work rate has dropped off a bit in this round. In the 8th Langford looked like a different fighter he was the one that was on the front foot and now Welborn is starting to look out of gas as Langford tees off. At the start of the 9th Langford was working well off the jab then following it up with the right hand. Midway through the round it looked like Welborn was trying to have one more go as he started to land some hard power shots.

So into the championship rounds we go, I’ve just got Welborn up but only because of the 2 knockdowns. In the 10th Langford continued to look the fresher of the two with very little now coming back from Welborn. In the 11th Langford just stuck to his boxing without doing anything silly. Then he rocked Welborn and he look ready to go.

What a turnaround going into the final round I had it a draw. At the start of the 12th Welborn came out like a man on a mission landing some hard shots. Then once again back came Langford this fight has been like something out of a Rocky movie, at the final bell I had it to Welborn by 1

Lewis Ritson V Oscar Amadorg

Lewis Ritson knocked out an overmatched opponent in the 3rd round.

In the 1st round Ritson got straight down to work landing power shots on Amador’s head and body, to be honest the 1st round was just a bit messy. In the 2nd Ritson stayed on the front foot and worked off the jab, it was clear to see that he was just using this fight to get ready for his big fight next month. Seconds into the 3rd round Ritson landed a big body shot which sent Amador to the canvas and he couldn’t beat the count.

Scott Fitzgerald V Craig Morris

Scott Fitzgerald scores a knockout in the final round of a great fight.

In the 1st round Fitzgerald came out looking to work off the jab, it was clear that he wanted to be on the front foot. Toward the end of the round Fitzgerald did rock Morris but he recovered well to make it to the bell. At the start of the 2nd Fitzgerald came out landing some nice combinations to both the head and body, there seemed to be nothing Morris could do to keep him off. Once a again at the end of the round Morris was rocked as he walked into one but again he managed to make it to the bell. Morris needs to find away into this fight or it could be a long night. In the 3rd Morris did start to have more success however throughout the round the quality shots seemed to be coming from Fitzgerald. In the 4th Morris continued to have success but he just couldn’t keep it up for the whole round, and then Fitzgerald would comeback with shots of his own. The 5th started a bit slower maybe both men are starting to feel the pace. Although Fitzgerald did continued to land his combinations. Then at the end of the round Morris did land some good shots but it wasn’t enough for him to win the round.

Going into the second half of the fight Fitzgerald has won every round on my card and he looks more then capable of getting the stoppage. Then in the 6th the fight turned around with Morris landing a number of nice power shots. In the 7th it was Morris on the front foot walking Fitzgerald down, it looked like Fitzgerald couldn’t keep up the early pace he set. In the 8th Fitzgerald came out looking to tee off but there was nothing on his punches and at this point in the fight it’s Morris that looks like he’s coming on strong and Fitzgerald looks like he’s got nothing left. The 9th was a very close round I think both men know this fight is tight. What started out looking like it was going to be an easy night for Fitzgerald has turned into a very entertaining fight to watch.

Going into the final round I had it a draw but you could score it ether way. In the 10th round both men went for broke and left it all in the ring. Then out of nowhere Fitzgerald landed the perfect shot that wiped Morris out, but I would still love to see a rematch of this one.

Also on the bill

Sean McComb: Scores a 2nd round knockout to continue his perfect start to his professional career.

Osman Aslam: Maintained his undefeated record with a stunning 3rd round knockout.

Qais Ashfaq Gets the stoppage after his opponents corner throws the towel in.

Gamal Yafai: Puts in a good performance to score a stunning 7th round knockout.

Ryan Kelly: Scored an opening round knockout to retain his area title, it now looks like he’s going to be looking to move up to Welterweight.

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