By Ken Hissner: At Falls Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, Saturday, over fite.tv and ESPN+ Conlan Boxing and Bob Arum (Top Rank), featured in the Main Event for the WBA interim World Feather title WBO International champ Michael “Mick” Conlan defeated TJ “The Power” Doheny over 12 ugly rounds.
In the co-feature, unbeaten EBU Feather champ Scotland’s Lee “Lightning” McGregor defended his title coming from behind, suffering a knockdown stopped Frances unbeaten southpaw Vincent Legrand in the fourth round.
In the Main Event 2-time Olympian and WBO Int’l champion Michael “Mick” Conlan, 16-0 (8), #124.2, of Belfast, No. Ireland, UK, defeated southpaw TJ “The Power” Doheny, 22-3 (16), #126, of Ireland and Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia, for the vacant WBA interim World Feather title, over 12 ugly rounds.
In the first three rounds, Conlan came out southpaw and had an edge with little contact from him or southpaw Doheny. In the fourth’s final seconds, Conlan landed the best punch up to this point, a right on the chin of Doheny.
In the fifth round, a flurry from Conlan made Doheny take a knee for an 8-count from referee Howard Foster. At the end of the round, it was Doheny coming back, drawing blood from the nose of Conlan.
In the sixth round, it was a better one for Doheny, with the referee having problems with the fighters holding. In the seventh round, Conlan took the round off, even going to orthodox for a bit. In the eighth round, Doheny cut Conlan under the right eye as Conlan went back to orthodox.
In the ninth and tenth rounds of an ugly fight, Doheny seemed to get the best of Conlan, with the referee struggling to keep them apart. In the eleventh round, Doheny had his best round outworking Conlan. In the twelfth and final round, Conlan finally came back winning the round after looking like he had been out of it for the past several rounds.
Scores were 119-108 and 116-111 twice, with this writer 114-113.
In the co-feature, EBU Feather champ “Lightning” Lee McGregor, 11-0 (9), #117, of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, stopped former 2-time Flyweight EBU champ Vincent Legrand, 32-1 (17), #118, of Bruay-la-Buissiere, Pas-de-Calais, France, at 1:23 of the fourth round of a scheduled 12.
In the first round, southpaw Legrand used an effective jab, landing lefts off them against McGregor. In the second round, a lead left followed by a right hook from Legrand on the chin and down went McGregor for an 8-count from referee Victor Loughlin.
He managed to get through the round. In the third round, it was a better one for McGregor landing combinations, but Legrand seemed to edge it out. In the fourth round, a right to the ribs from McGregor and down went Legrand on a knee for the count.
“I was disappointed with my performance for a couple of rounds due to his speed before the knockout. I can’t wait to get back into the gym. I want to bring a crowd like this to Scotland,” said McGregor.
Southpaw Tyrone “The Mighty Celt” McKenna, 22-2-1 (6), #139.3, of Belfast, No. Ireland, UK, defeated late sub “Josesito” Jose Felix, Jr., 39-5-1 (30), #139.5, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, MEX, over 10 action-packed rounds, winning the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Lightweight title.
In the first round, it was all action until southpaw McKenna pulled down Felix with his forearm, but referee Steve Gray counted it a knockdown. In the second round, the action continued with both fighters having their moments but McKenna having the edge.
In the third round, a body shot from Felix dropped McKenna for an 8-count. In the fourth round in a war, in the final seconds McKenna hurt Felix driving him along the ropes only to have Felix come fighting back. In the fifth round, the taller southpaw McKenna continued coming forward, getting the best of Felix, who comes back.
In the sixth round, McKenna continues stalking Felix is counter-punches well. Halfway through the round, a 3-punch combination from McKenna got the attention of Felix, who moves around the ring well. Inside the final minute of the seventh round, a left from McKenna on the chin rocked Felix. In the eighth round, McKenna was cut on the right eyebrow, and Felix bruised under the right eye in a better round for Felix.
In the tenth and final round, Felix came out knowing he needed a knockout, throwing punches for half a round before McKenna got the best of him in a terrific fight.
Scores were 97-91, 97-92, and 99-91, with this writer 97-91.
“I promised the fans a war and gave them one. He was tough landing some good body shots. I just want to entertain the fans in Ireland. It’s the biggest crowd I’ve been in front of, and I loved it,” said McKenna.
WBC International Silver Super Middle champ Sergei Gorokhov, 11-3-2 (7), #168, of Kaliningrad, Russia, lost his title being stopped by Padraig “The Hammer” McCrory, 12-0 (6), #167.9, of Belfast, No. Ireland, UK, at 1:47 of the fifth round of a scheduled 10.
In the first three rounds, McCrory used an effective jab and occasional rights to the chin of Gorokhov, who does little but throw rights mostly missing. In the fourth round, McCrory landed an uppercut causing a cut on the nose of Gorokhov. Seconds later, another uppercut from McCrory on the chin dropped Gorokhov for an 8-count by referee Ian Jon-Lewis.
In the fifth round, McCrory kept working on the cut on the nose, causing Gorokhov to continue to wipe the blood from his nose getting hit by McCrory. The referee finally brought in the ring physician, who called a halt to the one-sided fight.
“It was great hearing I won the title being the new champ; it’s unreal,” said McCrory.
Welterweight southpaw “The Real Deal” Paddy Donovan, 7-0 (5), #152, of Limerick, IRE, UK, knocked out “El Chino” Jose Luis Castillo, 9-6-1 (6), #148.5, of Sante Fe, Argentina, at 1:22 of the first round of a scheduled 6.
In the first round, a lead left from Donovan to the mid-section of Castillo, and down he went on his knees for the count.
“I’m really delighted having the best team behind me and like to fight for the WBC Youth title. I’m sure all across the pond have been looking. Thank you guys for coming out tonight, and God Bless!” He is trained by former world champ Andy Lee.