“Long Overdue” delivers punch perfect showing from the VIP boxing stable
By Jamie Albrecht

The occasion broadcast did an extremely good service in meeting the level of anticipation present within the walls of the Manchester Velodrome on Friday 17th September. Boxing promoter Steve Wood offered Manchester fight fans a showcase in local boxing talent that did much to reassure fight fans that the temporary void left in the North-West boxing scene by the inactivity of British boxing great Ricky Hatton between the ropes could well soon be filled by a number of capable candidates. The bill offered 10 highly entertaining clashes that offered something for every fight goer’s taste in boxing strategy.

First to appear was VIP Boxing’s newest addition, Martin Grainger in a 4 round Cruiserweight contest. The fight with John Anthony offered a chance to get a recently shaky career back on the right track following 2 previous losses at Heavyweight. The Heywood man began steadily, employing a solid jab to support his work, which came in bursts as he backed Anthony up to the ropes late on. The fight was also a good display of the right hand from Grainger, who at times looked as though he was incapable of missing with it throughout the 2nd. The final 2 rounds saw Anthony rush at Grainger in a seemingly desperate attempt to upset the balance of the fight. Grainger remained calm however, and at times it looked as if he could stop Anthony, whose only real offer of resistance came via body shots. Overall, the fight was a performance Grainger and his support could be proud of. He looked much better and more comfortable at Cruiser, and the right matchups could rebuild his confidence and rejuvenate his recently shaky career. Final result: Martyn Grainger, Points win over 4 rounds

Warren Tansey was next up against James Tucker, giving the fans an uncharacteristic points win, contrary to his growing reputation as a fight- stopping puncher. Tansey fought well from the off, starting with a headhunting approach suggesting a desire to end the fight early. This strategy looked as though it would indeed pay handsomely, as Tucker looked to hold on and survive as from as early as the 2nd. The contest continued in much the same vein with Tansey using an intelligent, stiff jab to set up uppercuts and other effective work through the middle of Tucker’s guard. A change was noted in the fifth, with Tucker surely realising that only a KO victory would suffice. He began to up his work rate considerably, trading shots and pressuring Tansey whilst somewhat neglecting his previous survival tactics for a more gung-ho style, Despite this, It was clear that the cuter early work for Tansey clinched him the solid points victory and gave him the much needed experience of an over the distance win under his belt. Final result- Warren Tansey, Points win over 6 rounds

A rising member of the well regarded Quigley boxing brood also saw action on Friday evening. Nick Quigley faced off against Midlander Kevin McCauley in an entertaining 4 round bout. Quigley used a good range of shots to get the win, after a fast start that showed a good understanding of movement within the ring and a willingness to take shots to land his own work. The 2nd round was probably the most competitive of the 4, with both men fighting back and forth, with Quigley maybe edging the period because of a high work rate combined with a range of punches to the head as well as the body. The body work continued into the last round, as Quigley found room to land to the ribcage as he repeatedly looked to corner McCauley. The aggression on show from the 21 year-old Liverpudlian was definitely a positive to take from his win, although a concern may arise when that aggression draws him into a fight (as with the 2nd) where defence is not deemed a priority. This is only a minor point though, and a willingness to put on an exciting aggressive performance over a cautious one reigns supreme with a young fighter more often than not. Quigley’s youth and fire shone through in the contest. After adding to his perfect 5-0 record, Quigley showed fans that he is indeed an exciting addition to the Liverpool boxing scene, and things can surely only get better when it comes to the career prospects such a young and talented boxer. Final result: Nick Quigley, points win over 4 rounds.

Brian Rose’s fight with Terry Carruthers followed the Quigley clash. Rose will have been very pleased with the performance he put forth on Friday and may even be looking to a rematch with former conqueror Max Maxwell as a result of gaining personal redemption against Carruthers. Rose began with his hands held high in an understandably cautious manner, winning the opener with a good jab and not much in return from Carruthers. A higher output followed in the 2nd, with “The Lion” putting shots together well and throwing a few good combos. The only worry surfaced with a Carruthers right hand, but luckily, the heavy shot landed on the gloves, much to the relief of the Blackpool support. Carruthers had his best round in the 3rd, introducing inside fighting to the contest, rose remained calm throughout the exchanges however and did not allow any substantial work to penetrate his rib-hugging guard, which proved continuously effective and did not retract from the action despite being defensive in its reasoning. Rounds 4-6 saw Rose push Carruthers back repeatedly and resist the temptation to be drawn into an all out war. No shots were wasted, and Rose showed that he will not allow the loss to Maxwell to affect his confidence. A good display of balanced, controlled boxing eventually gave Brian Rose the win, to the delight of the Blackpool fans. It will be interesting to see the route he takes in order to return to domestic light-middleweight title contention. Final result: Brian Rose, points win over 6 rounds

Light Welterweight hot prospect Karl Place delivered the first win inside the distance on Friday night, stopping the outgunned Michael Frontin in 5 rounds, with a display that looked to be far beyond the level that his youth would suggest. Place started well, coming forward fast and dictating the pace with his eagerness and confident jab. The 2nd saw more body work focus for the Manchester fighter, as Frontin prevented the majority of headshots from landing with his slippery body movement and use of his gloves. With the body shots taking effect, place had his best round in the 3rd as he continued to highlight his strength advantage over Frontin with a display to head and body which ultimately took effect when Place connected with a heavy right hook to the head late on. With not much time to go in the round, Frontin was saved from further punishment by the bell, which gave him an opportunity to collect his thoughts and perhaps launch a desperate plan of action. The 5th saw the end for the Mauritius fighter. Weary and punch worn, he fell from a well timed Place right hook for an 8 count. After his opponent’s rise, Karl showed a remarkable patience. Rather than rushing in, he looked for the opening that would end proceedings and found it with another right hook late on. The referee jumped in to save Frontin and call time on the one sided fight. Following the win, Steve Wood commented happily that Karl is “surely pushing for a British title eliminator on that performance”, a remark that will surely add even more momentum to the speedy wagon of Karl Place’s early career and high confidence. When asked for his thoughts on the contest, Karl himself appeared elated; “I wanted to make sure that I stayed focused rather than rushing in and wasting my work and that definitely showed with the result”. Final result: Karl Place, TKO win in round 5

Kieran Farrell featured against the much bigger Jason Carr in a 6 round fight. Despite the visible disadvantages he suffered, Farrell looked to have the edge in strength as he bullied Carr from the outset. Excellent head movement in round 1 made Farrell an elusive target, and he landed with a heavy right hand that forced Carr to hold on until the bell. More of the same followed as Farrell ensured that the size advantage would play no part, staying close and eliminating the potential use of the reach advantage that Carr could of troubled Farrell with. Following the exhibition of impressive power and ring technique on display from the younger man, Farrell picked up the win at the expense of a clearly troubled and marked up Jason Carr. Final result: Kieran Farrell, points win over 6 rounds

Southpaw stylist Terry Flanagan also wowed ringside viewers with a solid TKO win over his Hungarian opponent in a scheduled 4 rounder. The 1st round saw Flanagan starting with the heavy artillery early. He showed an equal capability with both hands as he ensured that his opponent was made as uncomfortable as possible when cornered and hit solidly from the southpaw stance with right and left hands. The 2nd was just as unlucky for Kassi, as he was put on the canvas by a body shot. After taking the count, Flanagan rushed in with a furious flurry of punches, which subsequently forced the referee to call a halt to the action in the 2nd. The contest shows even more that Flanagan is growing into the weight and as a result is developing the power to upset his adversaries. Final result: Terry Flanagan, TKO win in 2 rounds.

The evening culminated in a fight for the Vacant International Masters Super-Featherweight championship between Ashton’s Jon “2 smokes” Kays and Welsh champion Dai Davies. The fight was fought on a very even keel for the most part, though Kays was able to change upset the equilibrium and eventually overcome Davies to win the fight and claim the title. The 1st round centred on the use of the jab to try and gain a measure of control in the centre of the ring. Nothing of note was landed in particular and the fight looked to be an evenly matched spectacle. The 2nd was more successful for Kays, who showed that he held the advantage when the fighting had fallen back to the ropes. Due to Kays pressing home this advantage, he took the 2nd, although he failed to make sure the action was not confined to this area, which ultimately of course, did not matter. The contest continued in the same fashion, with the majority of the action taking place in the middle of the ring, which benefited Davies more than Kays as both men appeared evenly matched in the boxing stakes. Kays clearly realised that Davies was struggling when forced to box from the ropes. His greatest successes came when doing this, and the shots he was able to detonate on Davies in consequence helped wear down the Welshman for the fateful 7th round.

When the 7th arrived, Kays was slightly ahead and it had become apparent that Davies was beginning to flag slightly, failing to stop Kays backing him up and exercising control. Kays ultimately made his man pay when he caught the Welshman with a beautiful overhand right over the top of the guard that sent his game opponent falling down for the count. With Davies rising to beat the count, his legs were still in a rubbery state, and Kays did not need to be told to put his boxing into 5th gear, he chased the weakened Davies, hitting him with a wave of hard shots before the referee took mercy on Davies, thus ending the fight and seeing a new champion installed. The vacant title place had been filled. It was a fitting end to a brilliant night of boxing for the boys at VIP Boxing Promotions that saw many prospects push on to hopefully achieve even bigger and better things. Final Result: Jon Kays TKO in round 7