Here it is in black & white, Chad Ellis is getting ever nearer the 10-win mark after triumphing for the ninth time on the final North-East show of 2019.
Ellis defeated Danny Little at MTK’s dinner show at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel on Thursday night.
It proved the pick of the bouts on the five-fight show.
While Little’s record is not the best, the Driffield fighter certainly makes a habit of being a tough obstacle for North-East boxers to clear as Anth Ornsby and Joe Laws have discovered this year.
This four-rounder was fought at a very fast pace throughout, with Danny getting a share of the third session.
The final three minutes were very frantic as well but the Gary Barr-trained star’s quality stood out to edge the last round and take a 40-37 scoreline from referee Ron Kearney.
The 25-year-old, from Spennymoor, looks in very good nick, this fine performance following on nicely from his Autumn win over Dale Arrowsmith in Newcastle.
Mr Kearney was the judge and jury throughout MTK’s annual December bash at the Hilton.
And the Sunderland official ruled Simon Vallily a shut-out 60-54 winner in his heavyweight tussle with Phil Williams.
The Swindon heavyweight made it a decent bout but the Teessider controlled matters.
It was Vallily’s fourth victory off 2019 following his move up to heavyweight.
The 34-year-old had been due to box Fabio Wardley for the vacant English title in London at the weekend before the Suffolk prospect pulled out. Hopefully the former Commonwealth Games gold medalist will get his opportunity in 2020.
Staying at heavyweight, Steve Robinson demolished Michal Merek inside a round of their match at the Hilton.
‘Hightower’, from just down the road in Swalwell, wasted no time in going to town.
A left hook floored Marek with Mr Kearney, wisely, not even conducting a count, calling a halt at one minute, 37 seconds to allow the ringside doctor into the ring to attend to the Czech fighter immediately.
It made it two stoppage wins from two for the Mark Clauzel-managed boxer.
Still with the big fellas, Hetton cruiserweight Adam Gair made it four wins from four in his first year as a pro.
Gair, trained by David Binns in Peterlee, boxed to the book to outclass Remgijus Ziausys 40-36, the Lithuanian making his eighth visit to the region.
Darren Reay extended his undefeated run to nine contests after beating Lee Hallett 40-36.
In a good scrap, the Bedlington Terrier’s speed and accuracy won him all four rounds against a very tough and game Canning Town fighter.
It was a return to winning ways after a thrilling draw with Nicaragua’s Eduardo Valverde at the end of the Lewis Ritson-Robbie Davies show in October.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
