Ringside Report From the York Hall

Ringside Report From the York Hall

By Will Lott

York Hall is widely touted as the ‘Home of British boxing’ and yesterday showed exactly why with a couple of fantastic domestic clashes on the undercard before a boxing clinic from headliner Sunny Edwards.

Harvey Horn vs Elvis Guillen

Flyweight Harvey Horn extended his unbeaten record to 7 and 0 with a comfortable points victory over journeyman Elvis Guillen.

Guillen initially seemed unwilling to engage as Horn landed at will for the first three rounds without facing any fire in return. However, Guillen showed himself to have a solid chin as he began plodding forward, swinging but comfortably missing, mostly in the later rounds. Horn continued to dance around his opponent on his way to an 80-72 victory.

Caoimhin Agyarko vs Nelson Altimirano

Irishman Caoimhin Agyarko moved to four victories from four as he stopped Spanish journeyman Nelson Altimirano in the third round.

This was a largely one-sided contest as Agyarko continued to land hard, fast combinations from the first bell to the end before the referee jumped in to save his opponent. However, Agyarko was able to show his ability as he landed a powerful counter straight left early in the second round sending Altimirano off balance.

Despite showing a good chin, the referee was forced to jump in and save the Spaniard after a barrage of punches landed, when he was caught on the ropes in the third round.

Dec Spelman vs Shakan Pitters

Battling for the English light heavyweight title, Dec Spelman and Shakan Pitters put on a performance that many will consider the fight of the night. Spelman made clear his aggression from the first bell as he began landing fast combinations to the head of Pitters early on. It was clear a good number of the fans at York Hall had arrived for this fight as chants of ‘there’s only one Dec Spelman roared through the arena.’

The 6 foot 6 Pitters began to take control in the fourth round as he utilised his jab to keep Spelman at bay. Spelman suffered a nosebleed in the fourth and by the end of the fight had a swollen left eye but refused to give in during a real barnstormer. In the later rounds, both men spent time going toe to toe, leaving this fight long in the memory of those who were lucky enough to witness it. Pitters claimed the title with all three judges scoring the fight 97-93 in his favour.

Zak Chelli vs Kody Davies

Zak Chelli and Kody Davies faced off in a final eliminator for the British light heavyweight title, which was recently vacated by Joshua Buatsi.

This fight was considered by most to be worthy of headlining the event and it lived up to its early hype as both men left everything in the ring. Even former two division champion Joe Calzaghe was sat ringside to cheer on his fellow countryman.

The first two rounds, Chelli started well, landing frequently and achieving a flash knockdown of Welshman Davies in the second round. This despite fighting off the back foot as Davies continued to stalk him. Chelli still showed aggression early on but began to tire in the middle rounds giving Davies the upper hand as he kept his opponent against the ropes, landing to the head and body at will.

By the end, Chelli looked to tie Davies up at every opportunity. Chelli did make it an uncomfortable final round for Davies as he came out firing but ultimately it was too late and his stamina had cost him rounds. Davies won a unanimous decision with scores of 96-94, 96-93 and 97 – 92.

Sunny Edwards vs Rosendo Hugo Guarneros

Sunny Edwards headlined the night against a very game but ultimately outmatched Rosendo Guarneros as he won the vacant IBF international flyweight title and vacant WBO inter – continental flyweight title.

Having fought at super flyweight most of his career, on paper this appeared one of the tougher fights of his career. This did not end up being the case as he cruised to a wide, unanimous decision victory.

Guarneros was certainly tough and brought an intense, aggressive Mexican style with him. He was on the attack for the ten rounds, throwing frequently and looking to catch Edwards with a big shot to get the stoppage.

However, Edwards, likened to Vasyl Lomachenko by the likes of David Haye, showed exactly why he is so highly rated as he danced around his opponent, at no point looking in danger.

Taking the first two rounds to feel out his opponent, Edwards began to hurt Guarneros to the head and body in the third round as he easily dictated the pace and circled him with ease. He continued to claim the rounds as Guarneros began to tire whilst swinging with more hope than precision.

Edwards improved his record to 13 and 0, with two judges giving him the fight 100-90 with one score of 99-91. He will now be looking to push on towards world honours.

Brad Foster vs Lucien Reid

Finally, Brad Foster and Lucien Reid fought to a majority draw as Foster retained his British and Commonwealth super bantamweight titles.

This was a controversial score as challenger Reid began to pull away in the later rounds of a competitive fight. With both fighters entering the ring with undefeated records, this was one to look forward to.

It began strongly with both fighters willing to engage and both having success. However, in the later rounds, Reid began taking control as he started throwing more and appearing the busier of the two fighters throughout the bout.

The last two rounds arguably should have clinched it for Reid but the judges saw it otherwise. Two judges scored the fight 114-114 with the last judge seeing it 116-112 for Reid. A rematch is now likely with few options for either man at domestic level in the super bantamweight division.

Photo Credit: Frank Warren