Not this time for Darren Surtees, but Dazzla’s time will almost certainly come.
The Thornley star was stopped in the fifth round of his Golden Contract quarter-final by the excellent Mohamed Mimoune at the famous York Hall in London’s Eastend.
But the 25-year-old emerged from the first night of the exciting tournament with his reputation very much enhanced.
Surtees had Mimoune down in the second round but the world number nine showed his resilience and his quality by coming back to win this in round five.
This was always going to be some ask for the Dave Binns-trained fighter.
This was Apollo Creed v Rocky Balboa and that, of course, was a movie, though there was almost a Hollywood ending when the underdog had the favourite on the seat of his pants inside the first five minutes.
Surtees was not up against the best in Britain, he was up against one of the best in the division full stop, a man ranked ninth by the WBC.
While the International Boxing Organisation might not be one of the premier belts, he is a world champion and a winner of four European title fights, including a notable win against Sam Eggington.
Mimoune, with seven championship wins from seven attempts, is the real deal.
But Surtees was not fazed in the least, starting with confidence, landing his jab nicely while connecting with a couple of long rights which put his army of fans in good voice.
Having won the first, things got even better in the second, rattling a body volley or two into the southpaw before a right to Mimoune’s chin sent the tournament favourite to the canvas.
Mimoune got up sharply but with two of the 10 rounds gone, Surtees held a three-point lead.
Surtees looked well early in the third but Mimoune shelved his high guard and put in a strong finish to the session.
Darren scored nicely in the fourth but Mohamed knew he was behind and began to apply some significant pressure as the round came to a close.
Mimoune carried on from where he left off in the fifth and a clutch of rights to the head stung Surtees with a left through the middle putting the Peterlee-trained fighter down. To his credit, he beat the count but was in no position to continue and referee Kieran McCann to correctly wave it off.
Mimoune went on his knees to kiss the canvas, partly in triumph and partly as relief that he survived some fright. Daz, your time will come.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: MTK Global
