Blink and you would have missed it. Mark Dickinson won on his professional debut in devastating fashion in his home Toon.
Matched against Ivica Gogosevic on the final bout of Savannah Marshall’s world title show in Newcastle, Mark wasted absolutely no time in flooring him with a left to the body in the blue corner. Referee Kevin Weaver called a halt after 36 seconds.
What a way to announce yourself in the paid ranks.
Trained by Ben Davison, the coach to Josh Taylor and others, Mark was an exceptional amateur, winning the 2019 English Senior Championships and represented Britain at the European Games and World Championships.
Mark’s ex-Birtley ABC and GB team-mate Georgia O’Connor also began her professional career in impressive fashion.
The 21-year-old, from Durham, defeated the experienced Ester Konečná over six rounds on the undervcard of the Savannah Marshall world title defence, winning 60-55 on the ringside judge Steve Gray’s scorecard.
A neat three-punch combination launched her career and there was a left-right-right in the third which caught the eye and some short, sharp jabs in the fifth had the Czech girl on the retreat.
Konečná chucked a couple in the last but also took a couple and gave a respectful nod when O’Connor connected with a left.
A good start for the former Birtley and GB middleweight who not only has not fought for two years but has also endured some health difficulties.
Steve Robinson completed a Mark Clauzel double … in predictable fashion.
The Swalwell man-mountain made it four wins on the belt as a professional after recording his third first-round KO at the Utilta Arena, stopping Reece Barlow at one minute, 38 seconds.
He did not quite land cleanly with a left but his right hook was bang on the chin and the Manchester fighter went sprawling to the canvas.
With the count at five, referee Ron Kearney rightly called it off to allow the medics quick access to Reece, who it was good to see recover quickly.
Sky Sports head of boxing development, Adam Smith, loved Robinson so watch out for more USSR on the telly.
April Hunter will be back.
They are the only five words you need to know, but please don’t let that stop you reading on.
The North Shields boxer lost her unbeaten record in Newcastle when she was outpointed by the up and at ‘em Midlander Kirstie Bavington.
Ron Kearney scored it 59-56 to the 29-year-old PE teacher, who deserved her victory.
April, cheered on by a huge support, could not get going and while she landed a few clean shots as the contest wore on, she was outworked by Kirstie.
Hunter got her jab going in the fifth but the Dudley fighter remained on the offensive to get the nod.
April is still relatively new to the sport but her dedication and ambition are second to none and she’ll be back working in the gym with coaches Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke.
Michael Webster extended his winning record to six with, surprise surprise, another stoppage.
It is rare for the Middlesbrough cruiserweight to have to venture past the first round, but that’s the road he had to take on Saturday as he registered his fourth early W in succession.
Gennadi Stserbin, who was about opponent number four the matchmaker tried for Webba, was retired on his stool by trainer Oscar Milkitas at the end of the second round.
It was no surprise it made beyond the first as there was more holding than punching in the opening three minutes.
There were times the Estonian clung on in round two but finally Webster began to get through and he hammered away at Gennadi on the ropes late in the session and it was no shock that he didn’t want any more.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
