By Ken Hissner: At Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, UK, Saturday over DAZN Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) and Salita Promotions presented in the Main Event former WBC Interim World Heavyweight champion Dillian ”The Body Snatcher” Whyte and Jermaine “989 Assassin” Franklin battle for the entire 12 rounds with Whyte winning by majority decision in a fight that a draw would have been fair.
In the co-feature, English champ Fabio Wardley scored three knockdowns stopping IBF Int’l champ Nathan Gorman to win the vacant British heavyweight title.
In the Main Event, former WBC Interim World Heavy champ Dillian “The Body Snatcher” Whyte, 29-3 (19), #251, of Brixton, London, UK, won a majority decision over Jermaine “989 Assassin” Franklin, 21-0 (14), #257, of Saginaw, MI, over 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds, Franklin out-landed Whyte having him on the defense with a solid jab. In the third round, Whyte came back well with good bodywork. In the fourth and fifth, Whyte landed but got countered by Franklin.
In the seventh and eighth, Whyte came back well with bodywork in the best of the rounds from both Whyte. In the eighth, Whyte did well with his jab, but in the final seconds, a right from Franklin on the chin hurt Whyte.
“Yeah, it was a tough fight. I always say that an undefeated heavyweight is the hardest thing to beat,” said Whyte after the fight when being interviewed by DAZN Boxing.
“Obviously, he’s undefeated and has a lot of beans in his belly, and he came in and give us a good fight. Ar the same time, his stock rose tonight,” said Whyte about Franklin.
“For me, it was hard because I boxed with new instructions. We’re trying to upgrade my style of fighting to my natural style. Buddy [McGirt] is a pain in the a**, but what you’re saying is good.
“He said, ‘you can control this guy with your jab and keep breaking him down. After a while, his nose started to speak and spread.’ I probably could have been a bit more active and thrown more shots in the fight.
“Obviously, coming off a defeat, a new coach, a new training system. You have to listen sometimes and believe in your coach. We had a six-week training camp. We worked for six weeks. There were a lot of changes.
“They [Team Franklin] thought I was open for the uppercut, but I locked that s**t down, baby, yeah.
“I’m ready for whatever,” said Whyte when asked if he’s ready to fight Anthony Joshua in a rematch early next year. “Right now, I want to relax, go home, and see my family and my dogs. I miss my family, I miss my kids, and I miss my dogs a lot,” said Whyte.
In the ninth, Whyte was warned by referee John Latham for not breaking, having Franklin against the ropes In the eleventh, Franklin was warned for using his head.
In the twelfth, it went back and forth, both tired, while in the final seconds, Whyte landed a left to the chin driving Franklin into the ropes.
Scores were 114-114 and 116-112 twice for Whyte, while this writer had it 115-113 for Franklin.
In the co-feature, English champ Fabio Wardley, 15-0 (14), #240, of Ipswich, UK, stopped IBF Int’l champ Nathan Gorman, 19-2 (13), #271, of Nantwich, UK, at 2:33 of third after three knockdowns for the vacant British title.
In the first round, Gorman roughed up Wardley. In the second, Gorman landed a solid right on the chin. With blood coming from a cut on his nose Wardley dropped Gorman with a right on the chin halfway through the round.
In the final 30 seconds, a right on the side of the head from Wardley and down went Gorman for a second-time referee Bob Williams gave him eight counts.
In the third, Wardley dropped Gorman with a left on the chin after a minute. Wardley was landing with no return with half a minute remaining when the towel came in.
WBC Int’l Super Light champ Sandy Ryan, 5-1 (2), #139 ½, of Derby, Derbyshire, UK, defeated former super feather and light world champ Anahi “La Indiecita” Sanchez, 21-6 (13), #138 ¼, of Pergamino, Buenos Aires, ARG, over 10×2 action rounds.
In the first five rounds, Ryan moved well and countered oncoming former world champ, Sanchez, to have an edge. In the seventh, Ryan used body work but got rocked midway from a Sanchez right on the chin.
In the eighth’s final seconds, a flurry from Ryan had Sanchez against the ropes. Midway into the ninth, a right on the temple from Ryan had Sanchez hurt. Ref John Latham. Scores 100-90, 99-91, and 98-92, as did this writer.
Cruiser Cheavon Clarke, 4-0 (4), #199, of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Gravesend, UK, stopped Jose “El Tigre de Maria Juana” Ulrich, 17-6 (6), #195, of Maria Juana Sante Fe, ARG, at 0:32 of the second round of an 8.
In the first round’s final minute, a solid jab from Clarke dropped Ulrich for an 8-count from Referee Reece Carter. In the second round, a left to the body followed by a vicious right uppercut on the chin from Clarke had Ulrich out on his feet as referee Carter waved it off.
2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Pat McCormack, 3-0 (2), #152, of Sunderland, UK, defeated Christian “El Elegante” Adino, 16-5-2 (2), #146, of Villa Caraza, ARG, over six dull rounds.
In the second, McCormack hurt the running Adino with a left on the chin in the final half minute. In the fourth’s final seconds, McCormack landed a chopping right on the head of Adino. In the sixth, Adino only wanted to go the distance, not fight. McCormack’s accuracy was off.
Referee Reece Carter scored 60-54, as did the writer.
Middle Mark “Boo Boo” Dickinson, 4-0 (1), #164, of West Rainton, UK, defeated Gideon”Juice” Onyenani, 4-3 (0), #163, of Chatham, Kent, UK, over six rounds
In the first two, Dickinson used an effective jab taking the round. In the third and fourth, Dickinson finally opened up, out-landing Onyenani.
In the fifth and sixth, Dickinson outworked Onyenani with bodywork.
The referee Reece Carter scored 59-56, as did the writer.
The ring Announcer David Diamante
