Ringside Report: Chamberlain Dominates Lawal At The York Hall

Ringside Report: Chamberlain Dominates Lawal At The York Hall

By Garry White

A lot has changed for Isaac Chamberlain (16-2, 8KOs) since he contributed his own share of botulism to the infamous ‘British Beef’ encounter with human Octopus, Lawrence Okolie at London’s O2 Arena back in 2018. Also, not forgetting, those uninspiring, flattering one-round annihilations of butcher, bakers, and candlestick makers on Mick Hennessey promoted Channel 5 shows.

Amidst all this, probably the most noteworthy aspect of Chamberlain’s post-Beef return was a unanimous points loss to Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith. That the Bournemouth-man then went on to decisively sperate old-foe Okolie from his WBO cruiserweight belt, added a little extra sheen to a defeat where he acquitted himself admirably. An eight-round decision back in the summer at York Hall against Dylan Bregeon was little more than a tune-up for the fight-of-his-life on Saturday night at the same East London venue.

Facing the Brixton-man in the other corner was reigning British champion Mikael Lawal (17-1, 11 KOs) who was not only offering up his Lonsdale belt, but also throwing in his hat for the vacant rainbow-coloured Commonwealth belt. Chamberlain known to the vocal throng that populated the York Hall as I.C. entered the ring in a natty pair of brown/beige shorts that looked like they had been purchased from a fire sale at Hugh Heffner’s Playboy mansion. That he had matched them with gloves of the same pattern and hue, fully rounded off the ensemble, and demonstrated -as did his ringwork on the night- that no stone had been left unturned in respect of his preparation.

Lawal – from Shepherd’s Bush via Lagos – was kitted out in green and white shorts, in homage to his Nigeran roots, conversely seemed to lack any kind of a plan at all. From the outset, he attempted to plant his feet and let-off single blitzing Hail-Mary’s that whistled several rows away from the elusive figure of Chamberlain. In truth, the challenger also struggled to find his range in the opening round, often falling short, as he attempted to set the tone with his jab. Only late in the round did he pin Lawal in the corner and land with interest.

From as early as the second stanza the fights pattern was set as Lawal low on work rate could never get Chamberlain in range and hunted shadows, with all attempts at aggression proving hopeless due to the telegraphed nature of his intent. As the fight progressed, Chamberlain continued to be the busier, more productive fighter. In truth, the challenger didn’t require any fireworks in order to insert his dominance on proceedings. He used his sharp jab to upset Lawal and worked the body with well-formed combinations when the frequent opportunities presented themselves. The man from West London had entered the ring with something of a heavy-handed reputation, and on the rare occasions he did land IC took them without fuss and was usually able to let off counters of his own.

The champion may have entered the ring with an unblemished resume, but this contest starkly revealed the difference in the resume of the two combatants. Both of Chamberlain’s defeats had been to future world champions, and clearly much had been learnt from these reverses. Perhaps, one for fighters and promotors to take note of considering the sports increasing obsession with unbeaten records.

All in all, this was a fight that never really got going, especially in light of the rambunctious nature of the contests that proceeded it. However, the reality was that Chamberlain never allowed Lawal to assert any kind of foothold in what was a wholly one-sided victory. If anything encapsulated Lawal’s evening, it was the bouts final seconds. Uncorking a last desperate, wild long left-hook he connected only with the centre rope flush on the button, whilst Chamberlain had what felt like a full-second earlier pirouetted to safety and was midway through a jig of delight as the final bell sounded.

Chris Billam-Smith, on commentary duty for SKY Sports, scored it a total shut-out for Chamberlain. The ringside judges were marginally more sympathetic with Terry O’Connor scoring it 119-111 whilst Victor Loughlin and Marcus McDonnell both had it 118-111.

In the evenings, main support bout Medway’s Louis Greene (16-4, 10KOs) defended his Commonwealth super welterweight belt against Walthamstow’s Sam Gilley (17-1, 8KOs). The challenger known as the ‘Magic Man’ entered the ring as the reigning English champion and had served a long apprentice on small hall shows waiting for his chance to shine. It seemed written in the stars that he would take it, although there was never any doubt that a tough, uncompromising competitor like Greene would make life hard for him. The ‘Medway Mauler’ is a classic example of a fighter that lacks a profile and has had to scrap in routinely unfavourable circumstances for any opportunity he has been given. He captured the belt last November from the away corner against Aberdeen’s Dean Sutherland and, in his first defence, dispatched Dundee’s Paul Kean in six rounds, also north of the border.

Gilley, the slicker boxer, started strongly in a fight that always promised to deliver. As Greene pawed forward – to shout from ringside of Greene army – Gilley attacked with straight shots and set up his pet left-hook. Winning the majority of the exchanges, he dropped the champion in the fifth with a solid shot to the body. Greene was never in danger of not making the count and tore forward at Gilley, who ended the round by giving him a broad smile.

Greene fought back well and landed with a couple of solid left hooks late in the seventh that got Gilley’s attention. As they came out for the eighth, it seemed that Greene had sensed that the challenger might be tiring as he came forward with more intent; willing to take shots to land damage of his own. However, not for the first time in his career, Gilley demonstrated his ability to go-toe-to-toe and take the fight to the trenches. As the fight entered the final stanza, all but the most ardent members of the ‘Greene Army’ must have been aware that Gilley was ahead. Not surprisingly, Greene sprang out of his corner searching for the knockout and often located his target against an opponent who appeared to have no interest in playing the percentages and keeping out of trouble. The bell sounded with both men going at it, as they had for all 36 minutes of this pulsating contest.

Greene would be entitled to feel aggrieved at the wideness of the scoring [Victor Loughlin 116-111, Bob Williams 117-110 and Terry O-Connor 118-110] but the verdict was undoubtedly the correct one.

Abrasive Geordie Joe Laws [14-2, 5KOs] appeared as a last-minute replacement for Harley Benn in an eight-rounder at middleweight versus Sevenoaks’ Michael Hennessy Jr [11-2-1, 2KOs]. In what promised to be a clash of styles, the shorter Laws not surprisingly locked to batter his way through with hooks and to attack on the inside. Hennessey, at first, was content to flick out the jab and to land with slick combinations. But as the fight wore on, he gradually allowed himself to become embroiled in the type of brawl that the ‘Benwell Bomber’ relishes. All this did was nullify the advantages of height, reach, and superior boxing skills that the Kentish man possessed. As Laws grabbed a career reviving win, the light-punching Hennessey might well reflect on his tactics.

In the evenings opener, Karriss Artingstall (5-0, 1KO) dominated Vanessa Bradford (7-5-2, 1KO) from the first bell, dropping the Canadian in the opener with a powerful straight left-hand. Bradford saw out the round under pressure from the 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, but following another visit to canvass in the next round, her corner sensibly and compassionately pulled her out. The Macclesfield featherweight recording the first inside-the-distance win of her fledgling pro career.

Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer