Darlington was treated to a fantastic show which had everything, everything sadly except a main event.
Just minutes before North-East derby rivals Ellis Corrie and Basi Razaq were due to enter the ring for their eagerly-anticipated eight-rounder, master of ceremonies, Billy Hardy, took to the microphone to say the clash was off due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
It was reported Razaq had packed up his gear and departed the Dolphin Centre after he was told there would be no belt for the winner. The matter of professional fighting pride or local bragging rights was not enough to get him to the red corner.
The pair had been lined up for the British Promoters Association Challenge Belt.
It must be noted these ‘titles’ are not recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control or the Northern Area Council, they merely exist to provide a reward for a boxer contesting good eight-round matches.
It was a farcical end to what had been a terrific Steve Wraith-promoted evening which featured two cracking debuts, two away wins and a top-drawer display by a hometown star.
Fight of the night turned out to be O’Neill v O’Neil and it went to O’Neil with one L.
Greg O’Neil floored former Gus Robinson Developments team-mate Richard O’Neill in the first of six belting rounds on the way to a 59-55 victory from referee Ron Kearney.
Your punch-lines reporter had the margin closer but the Hartlepool and Horden fighter (pictured above) was the clear winner, but what a contest – and surely worthy of Northern Area title status next time?
The other away victory was over in an instant as Chris Burton suffered a heartbreaking return after six years out of the ring.
Burly Romanian Gheorghe Danut went for him from James Holborn’s first bell sending in clubbing left hooks which hurt Hightower. The ropes prevented him from going down but a left-right combination decked him soon after and Mr Kearney stopped it at 34 seconds. Chris recovered quickly after prompt medical attention.
Martin Ward also came up against an ambitious visitor but the gifted southpaw comfortably saw off Jose Aguilar, from Spain, 60-55, in his first bout since losing in a challenge for the European super-bantamweight title last September.
Troy Williamson too had opposition from Barcelona, but he took apart Michael Mora in some style.
The unbeaten Darlington star, warming up for a major fight on Saturday June 9 in Manchester, against Jack Flatley, floored Mora early in round two before a stunning left hook sent his foe onto his backside again. Mora was up by eight, but Mr Kearney correctly waved it off.
The big Dolphin Centre audience were treated to two fine pro debuts.
Mark Downing launched the show with a 39-37 victory over sub opponent Victor Edagha. The Jeff Saunders trained light-middleweight had the Italian-born Londoner in trouble early on and while the 30-year-old won round three, Mark was a deserving winner.
Luke Cope produced some of the best boxing of the night to register a 40-36 shut-out against Naheem Chaudry. The Hartlepool boxer showed lightning handspeed and accuracy to dazzle against the Blackburn boxer.
What a shame the talking point pop the night ended up being Basi’s no-show,
Words: Roy Kelly
