Ringside Report: MTK Golden Contract Review

Ringside Report: MTK Golden Contract Review

By Oliver McManus

MTK rolled up in Brentwood for the last installment of Golden Contract quarter-finals.

Eight light heavyweights (and two more on the undercard) took to the stage in a bid to impress.

In the first quarter final, Serge Michel boxed superbly to defeat Tommy Philbin. Philbin had moved up, in earnest, to 175lbs for the purpose of this competition but was outgunned on the night. His German opponent landed the first jab and forced Philbin to tread backwards.

Michel was fighting with freedom and loose limbs over the opening rounds. With Philbin on the backfoot he was able to pepper away with the jab and double up on the damage. He landed with purchase as he forced the Scotsman to the ropes.

Stern words greeted Philbin as he returned to his corner – “move” was the cry. The only issue was that wherever he did move, Michel followed. The German stuck to the basics exceptionally.

In having that persistent determination he ensured Philbin was unable to relax into the contest. There were glimpses of quality when given the luxury of space but Philbin was unable to turn the tables.

A big right hook, digging under the ribs, saw Michel drop his counterpart in the third round. Philbin was later dropped again, in the 10th. Despite that early success the Rio Olympian remained focused and increased his variety. Well timed uppercuts clocked Philbin in the fourth and sixth rounds.

The Scottish fighter was spirited in his performance but was undone by Michel’s superior gameplan. Serge Michel took it by cards of 99-90, 99-90 and 98-90. He could be a real handful as the draw advances.

Hosea Burton advanced to the semi finals with a comprehensive victory over Bob Ajisafe. The eventual winner bounces into the opening right and dropped a, sleepy, Ajisafe with the first punch thrown. The Leeds fighter was certainly awake after that.

Burton found success with a straight right thrown on the move; Ajisafe walked onto it three times in the opening round.
His Leeds opponent initially struggled to get to grips with Burton’s ringcraft. Joe Gallagher’s charge, meanwhile, was comfortable biding his time. Ajisafe, to his credit, was looking to be creative and find openings but the end product was lacking.

Far too often he was throwing shots in isolation, not using both hands, and it really held him back. High marks for effort but he needed something a little more; sooner or later he’d walk into a Burton jab, too.
Burton remained patient as Ajisafe looked to claw his way into the fight and responded well. The scorecards were 98-90, 99-92 and 98-91 in his favour.

Liam Conroy beat Andre Sterling in an encounter that failed to ignite until late on. The contest was even stevens to begin with as the pair took turns to suss each other out. For two fighters known for the penchant to “get involved” this felt lukewarm.

It was unfortunate that styles didn’t mesh completely and it was scrappy at times. Conroy was enjoying the better success with a more frugal use of the jab. He was unable to translate it into anything more ambitious but was comfortable enough.
Sterling had good rounds – the eighth and ninth saw him box as he should from the off; plenty of hooks. A good application of pressure but it was all a little too late, especially as he was dropped in the seventh. That punishing round saw Conroy batter the body and put icing on a kind of squished cupcake.
98-91, 96-94, 97-92 to Liam Conroy.

Ricards Bolotniks clearly got the message that this writer needed to scoot to catch the last train. The Latvian came out with bad intentions and stopped Steven Ward inside a single round.

Bolotniks bounded out and caught Ward on the chin; the Belfast boxer dropped to the canvas. The mean, mean Latvian simply continues his spiteful showing with a flurry of punches dropping Ward, again, soon after. The 29 year old regained his feet but not his composure and was soon decked by another barrage of punches. Three knockdowns in around 160 seconds and the fight was duly called off.

There was a fifth light heavyweight fight on the show – Dan Azeez vs Lawrence Osueke for the vacant English title. Azeez took it by wide scorecards having looked breezy from the off.

The pair exchanged patient jabs with the Londoner doing well to control the distance. Despite being smaller than Osueke he never seemed troubled by those long limbs.
In truth Osueke, coached by Nik Gittus, boxed similarly to his bout with Ricky Summers. He seemed content with the mellowed tempo but didn’t follow through with his punches enough; tapping in isolation.

The left foot of Azeez worked ever forward as the rounds progressed. He looked confident and relaxed – so too did Edward Muscat, in the corner.

For all of Osueke’s poise and amateur pedigree there just weren’t enough punches to disrupt Azeez rhythm. His opponent’s fluidity looked a stark contrast to the 32 year old’s more rigid upper body.

Osueke’s style was falling short of cutting the mustard: at fault for being too patient. For all the boxers turning professional with a “style more suited for the pro’s”, Osueke is distinctly vice versa. A really likeable man but retaining too many old habits.

Azeez opened up the gap into the layer rounds but remained serene. He boxed with maturity and has his nose ahead through; 99-91, 98-93 and 98-92 he took the win and the belt. Frighteningly he barely scampered out of first gear.

James Hawley took an assured win against Lewis van Poetsch to move 5-0. The “Hitman” was relaxed and listened to his corner well to control proceedings. Cut Poochi in the third round above the right eye and took the decision 39-37.

Jamie Robinson was fresh in his punches to outpoint Darryl Pearce. The Ginger Rocket targeted the body with particular venom. Pearce withstood the pressure well but the second round was brutal; 60-54.

Cowley boxer Jordan Flynn made a flying start to life as a professional with a win over Daniel Alder. Flynn had bundles off support and played to their hands. Alder was feisty but erratic. 40-36 for the debutant.

Another successful debut saw George Mitchell outbox Paul Cummings to take a deserved win. Good rounds for Mitchell who looked sharp from the off. Packed plenty of entertainment into the 12 minutes, too. 40-36.

Mo Sameer had his maiden professional fight against Scott Hillman. The night was getting late and Sameer clearly wanted a bath the right side of midnight; he stopped Hillman in the third. Hillman has been stopped three times in his last four outings and should consider his options.

Debutant Inder Singh Bassi was continually implored to relax by his corner. The ambitious boxer was keen to have a scrap but boxed well enough to see off any danger. Confident but room for improvement; 40-36.