Frankie Gavin and Bradley Saunders impress on undercard of Hall title fight

By Boxing News - 03/29/2014 - Comments

By Simon Allen: Frankie Gavin extended his record to 19/0/0 (12) after a good win over dogged challenger Sacky Shikukutu at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, UK. The bout scheduled for twelve was for Gavin’s Commonwealth Welterweight Championship. The fight started fairly even with Shikukutu applying pressure and Gavin gauging his opponent and his style. Shikukutu started fast throwing big winding punches forcing Gavin backwards out of danger.

Round two started with Gavin taking his time was working out his determined opponent until a loss of concentration momentarily resulted in a trip to the canvas courtesy of a Shikukutu hook to the body. Gavin clearly shocked to be on the floor for the first time in his professional career rose quickly and spent the rest of the round staying away from Shikukutu’s big lunging punches.

Round three continued in a similar vein with Shikukutu applying lots of pressure and fighting at high velocity, aiming for the body, he had some success but spent the majority of the round hitting air as Gavin displayed superior defensive skills and footwork to keep clear.

In round four Frankie Gavin started showing his class and putting his stamp on the fight. Sharp jabs and straights were beginning to find their target with Gavin using footwork and speed to avoid any traffic his way.

Rounds five and six saw Gavin using his jab to set up his big punches and he was beginning to land combinations to Shikukutu’s head and body. Happy to let Shikukutu come on throwing big punches, Gavin easily evaded the noticeably tiring African.

By rounds seven and eight Gavin was completely in control and upped the pace stinging his opponents face with accurate jabs and creating space with footwork, Gavin was beginning to show the skills he is capable of, setting a pace that suited him.

The last four rounds saw Gavin in complete control of a game opponent who came to fight, sadly for Shikukutu apart from the flash knock down in the second round he was outclassed and out boxed. Noticeably tired he continued to throw looping punches but found his target had always vanished before any landed. Gavin showed maturity in keeping his concentration and saw out the fight easily, comfortable that he had done enough to win.

The judges scored the fight 118-109, 117-111 and 118-109 all in favour of Frankie Gavin. Gavin now needs to step up in class and a shot at European champion Leonard Bundu would be a good step and an intriguing fight for the future before making a run for a world title challenge.

Prospect light welterweight Bradley Saunders faced the light punching but useful boxer Mitch Prince 12/3/1 (1) in his ninth professional fight. Big things are expected of Saunders and this fight was designed to give him a few rounds.

The first round started fast with Saunders landing big punches to the head and body of Prince, forcing him down quickly. Prince rose fast as the referee counted and immediately took the attack to Saunders attempting to land big punches of his own. Saunders retaliated with more big punches of his own sending Prince down and through the ropes. Saunders was lucky to avoid losing a point after punching Prince whilst he was on the canvas. Prince rose back into the ring with some help from ringside and saw out the round.

Round two was more even with Prince using speed to attack the defensively sound Saunders who counted with sharp crisp punches. Saunders demonstrated better skills and punching to take a competitive round.

Round three was much the same Prince using his speed to test Saunders, who negated the threat easy enough, Saunders who looked huge at his weight picked of Prince on the way in and landed more nasty shots that clearly took the round.

Round four started fast with Prince again taking the fight to Saunders. Square in the ring Bradley Saunders punches were beginning to tell and a big left hook to the body sent Prince crashing to the floor. Prince rose again, swinging wildly but took a big uppercut sending him crashing once more, Prince ever brave once more got up but a straight over the top sent him down to his knees and the referee waved the fight off for a TKO win for the impressive Saunders.

Saunders drew comparisons from commentators to Nigel Benn for his nastiness and aggression. Although there is definitely spite in his punches we won’t know how good he can be until he ups his competition level. Willie Limond could be next on the list the experienced veteran is Commonwealth Light Welterweight Champion and would provide a sterner learning curve for the likeable Saunders who is now 9/0/0 (7).

The IBF Bantamweight title fight between the champion Stuart Hall 16/2/2 (7) and challenger Martin Ward 18/2/1 (4) ended in a technical draw due to a cut received to hall in the first round from a clash of heads. The fight was looking good with both fighters showing they were up for the challenge during the whole one round of action. Unfortunately the cut was deemed to nasty to allow the fight to continue.

For Stuart Hall it’s back to the drawing board and at look at better future lucrative fights. For poor Martin Ward he may never get another chance to win a title. Sadly in this fight everyone including the fans lost.



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