Ringside Report: Dilmighani vs Fonseca: A Bizarre Night In Bolton

Ringside Report: Dilmighani vs Fonseca: A Bizarre Night In Bolton

By Jonny Rashman

The latest Mick Hennessey show had somewhat flown under the radar since it was first announced. Anyone who said they didn’t search boxrec to look up the names of the two men headlining the main event, I would suggest is not telling the truth.

Nonetheless, after the necessary research, it soon became apparent that British boxing fans could have been in for a treat, primetime on a Saturday night. An Interesting clash of styles awaited us, or so it seemed.

Crayford’s Alex Dilmighani was looking to step up to world level by defeating the power punching Franseco Fonseca. It was the classic boxer vs the brawler clash.

I arrived at the Premier Suite, in the University of Bolton Stadium, looking forward to a competitive night of boxing. It’s a very intermate venue, which has an old school boxing feel to it. You can literally feel every punch being thrown.

The event was going live at 9pm on Channel 5 and had a mix of local talent on the undercard.

Stretford’s Bradley Rea notched up his 7th win, in just over a year since turning professional. His opponent Paul Allision retired on his stool after the 2nd round. After the fight, Rea said:

“I’m really happy with the performance, he was a tough kid, with a winning record, he’s only been stopped once in a 4 rounder against Eubank Jnr. I got him out there in two, so I’m happy.

I asked, was it good to get such an early stoppage or would you have benefitted from having more rounds under your belt? He replied:

“In a way yes, you do need the rounds, but I’m getting the rounds in sparring. I’ve done a lot with English champion Jack Cullen, so I’ve been getting the rounds in. If I can them out of there, I will.”

The next fight was Manchester man Charlie Scofield vs Darwen’s Mickey Ellison. A highly, competitive, battle ensued, which could have been fought in a phone box. Both men stood in the pocket refusing to be backed up. At the end of the fight, Elision was given a razor thin decision, (95-94).

Whilst awaiting the next fight, I had a chat with Manchester Light Heavyweight wrecking machine Lyndon Arthur, we spoke everything from boxing to his relationship with British Grime Star Bugsy Malone.

Arthur, who is undefeated in 15 fights, boasts a formidable 80% knockout ratio and is looking to capture the vacant Commonwealth Title, against hard hitting Emmanuel Anim on the Josh Warrington card in two weeks’ time. Is it a gamble to be facing the hard hitting Anim:

“No way” he replied, with an ice cold look in his eye. “I will fight anyone, the Commonwealth belt is just a steppingstone, I’m in boxing to be a World Champion.” With the likes of Anthony Yarde and Joshua Buatsi in his division, does Arthur feel he can mix it with them?

“Absolutely, they are good fighters, so am I, even though Yarde is a rival, I was jumping in front of the TV when he almost knocked Kovalev out. It was a British fighter, fighting a Russian, in Russia, I’m always going to support the British man.”

The conversation then turned to the upcoming KSI vs Logan Paul fight. “I don’t have a problem with it, anyone who says they wouldn’t fight on the card with all that exposure is lying” he said.

After seeing a video of superstar Bugsy Malone sparring with KSI in the lead up to the first fight, it was clear Malone was levels above the You Tuber:

“Yeh man, Bugsy can fight, we have been boxing together for years, he’s always sharing stuff of me on his Instagram page.”

When asked what brought him to the fight, he replied:

“I love boxing so I will always watch a local show, to be fair I haven’t heard much of Dilmighani, I know he’s in Zelfa’s weight” (Zelfa Barret).

In a strange twist of fate, just as we were talking about how Fonseca has fought world class operators like Gevonta Davies and Tevin Farmer. The ring announcer hastily informed everyone that “due to unforeseen circumstances, Fonseca has been pulled out of the fight.”

We both looked at each other with shock:

“I actually saw him (Fonseca) being sick outside when I arrived.” Arthur explained.

Uncertainty surrounded the room. I don’t ever recall a main event being called off with just an hour to go. It was a bizarre turn of events. We were told that the Flatley vs Scaff fight would still be going live on channel 5.

There was even more uncertainty at home, I was receiving messages on my phone asking what had gone on? One Twitter user wrote under a picture I posted “let Channel 5 know they’ve got some prison sh**on when it’s meant to be boxing”. The audience at home, apparently, weren’t privy to the information we were given at the event.

So, the newly formed main event took place between the English Champion and local favourite Jack Flatley, against Derby’s Harry Scarff. On paper this was a good domestic scrap, with both prospects putting their undefeated records on the line.

Flatley couldn’t find his range in the first half of the fight, and was confused by the awkward, southpaw style of his opponent. Although Scarff was the superior boxer, his desire to stand and trade with the smaller man made the fight closer than it ought to have been.

Flatley never stopped coming forward and came back into contention in the second half of the fight. Ultimately, it was a case of too little too late and the man from Derby was declared the victor, taking home the English title in the process.