LIGHT-welterweights of Great Britain beware, ‘Dazzla’ is coming for you.
Darren Surtees recorded a perfect 10th professional victory on Saturday night when he made quick work of Troy James in Glasgow, halting the seasoned campaigner at two minutes, 25 seconds of round one.
James is not the first fighter unable to handle the dynamite fists of Surtees but he is certainly the highest profile victim to date.
It was the seventh stoppage win of his career and the best scalp yet, given the Coventry fighter had taken Luke Campbell five rounds at very short notice this year.
Team Sauerland and coach Dave Binns will be looking to build on this World Boxing Super Series show at the SSE Hydro and build the 24-year-old Co Durham fighter towards title honours in 2019.
“Darren boxed absolutely mint,” Binns told punch-lines. “The Sauerlands want him out on some decent bills and keep this momentum going.
“I think they would like him out again this year, but we may have to look at January.
“Technically, he is very good and when Darren his them, he hurts them.
“He’s really looking excellent.”
Having dispatched Kane Baker inside two rounds on the World Boxing Super Series show in Saudi Arabia in September, this six-rounder on the Josh Taylor-Ryan Martin/ Ryan Burnett-Nonito Donaire undercard appeared a step up in quality.
But the East Durham College-trained fighter was even quicker here, taking out James in the opener.
Surtees had begun steadily, using his crisp jab to good effect but when he rattled in a head and body combination, he stung his opponent and ruthlessly went for the finish. With James unsteady, the referee stepped in to halt matters.
“Troy complained but his legs had gone,” added Binns. “It was only going one way and I think the referee’s made the right call.
“The idea was to go out and box, use his jab, use the distance, which he did.
“His jab was on point, his backhand was on point and he was getting in some belting shots to the body
“But when he caught Troy, he hurt him and he capitalised.”
Surtees is pictured with his corner of (from the left) Steve Lamb, Dave Binns and Tom Binns.
Words: Roy Kelly Pictures: Jennifer Charlton
