Six of the best. That is the best synopsis of Ben Marksby’s professional journey so far.
Darlington consistently delivers in the boxing ring with Troy Williamson and Ellis Corrie bringing titles and excitement to DL postcodes and Ben is on his way.
The undefeated 22-year-old is fresh from professional win number six and surely his best yet after beating Santiago Garces over half-a-dozen all-action rounds at the Utilita Arena.
This England v Colombia shoot-out was the pick of the Troy Williamson-Josh Kelly undercard.
Ben looked close to taking Santiago’s head off in the second round but in the end needed to go the distance where he was judged a 59-56 winner by referee Ron Kearney, to the delight of coaches Anth Kelly and John Stubbs, the men behind Tenacity Boxing.
“Ben was electric,” Stubbs told punch-lines.
“He came out to a great reception and he appears to be building a bit of a following.
“After the fight [promoter] Kalle Sauerland came to the ropes and Ben said ‘have you got your chequebook?’
“We’ll have to see what happens, that’s down to his manage, Steve Wood, but he rooks made for the big shows.”
Marksby looked focused from the start and there was a peach of a left hook to the body at the end of the first, which was a taste of things to come.
There was real intent in round two, with body combinations followed by power punches to the head, a left hook up top wobbling Garces.
The Spain-based 20-year-old, with 19 bouts already under his belt, survived and even warmed into the contest, so much is that he had a fine fourth round.
Marksby’s zip was back in the fifth with some more good straight shots down the middle and he ended a convincing winner against a tough cookie.“In the first two or three rounds I don’t know how he didn’t knock him out,” added Stubbs.
“It was a great performance.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
