Tommy Owens Promotions held there first show of the new season at the Holte suite Villa Park (7,9,19). The show was called ‘Civil War’ and consisted of 6 fights with Ryan Hatton, Shaka Thompson, River Wilson-Bent and Idris Virgo all doing 4 rounder’s. You also had the Ruthless one Ryan Kelly doing a 6 rounder as he ticks over while he waits for bigger fights. The main event was a highly anticipated Midlands area Lightweight title fight with Shaun Cooper taking on Jack O’Keeffe over 10 three minute rounds for the vacant title. With David Nikolich comparing Kevin Parker refereeing and the stunning ring girls Lauren and Cassie from C.P. Agency the stage was set for a great night of boxing.
Fight 1 Ryan Hatton v Remisijus Ziausys 13.8 4x3 13.10 Cruiserweight
Hatton let his hands go from the first bell banging in heavy combinations to the body and head. Ziausys could only cover up and see the round out. In the second Hatton started to pick his shots well, Ziausys did get some good shots off in this round but it was Hatton’s round. Ziausys let his hands go in the third but Hatton continued to dominate the fight banging in heavy combinations and controlled the round. Hatton poured on the pressure in the final roun Ziausys had to stand strong taking some heavy shots managing to see the final bell.
Result Dexter - 40-36 Ref - 40-36 Hatton wins points decision
Fight 2 Shaka Thompson v Paul Cummings 11.8 4x3 11.8 Super Middleweight
Great movement and shot selection from Thompson as he popped in combinations at will, Cummings covered up well and took some good shots. Thompson used his jab well in the second to set up some great combinations controlling the ring and the round. The third was another round dominated by Thompson who again showed great movement and shot picking to win the round. Great shot picking again by Thompson in the final round moving well around the ring, Cummings had a go back but was finding it hard to catch Thompson with anything.
Result Dexter - 40-36 Ref - 40-36 Thompson wins on points
Fight 3 River Wilson-Bent v Scott Hillman 11.9 4x3 12.2 Super Middleweight
Hillman looked like he had came to fight tonight but Wilson-Bent poured on the pressure with fast combinations making Hillman having to cover up, great movement and hand speed by Wilson-Bent. In the second Wilson-Bent came out firing with fast combinations working to the head and body, Hillman folded halfway through the round from some nice body shots. Hillman got to his feet and continued Wilson-Bent took his time picking his shots well and applied good pressure. Hillman went down again from a combinations to the body, he was allowed to continue but the ref jumped in and stopped the fight just as the bell went.
Result Wilson-Bent wins 2nd round stoppage
Fight 4 Ryan Kelly v William Warburton 11.8 6x3 11.1 Super Middleweight
Kelly controlled the ring with a nice steady jab in the first with some good combinations. Kelly picked up the pace in the second and banged in some nice combinations, Warburton got some good shots off as well but Kelly was in control. The third was another round controlled by Kelly who was boxing like a seasoned pro great movement and shot selection. Kelly continued his good work in the forth picking his shots well going to the head and body with ease. Kelly controlled the fifth picking his shots well with some nice combinations and some eye catching uppercuts. In the final round Kelly continued to pour on the pressure with Warburton having a go back but Kelly cruising to victory.
Result Dexter - 60-54 Ref – 60-54 Kelly wins on points
Fight 5 Idris Virgo v Lewis Van Poetsch 12.7 4x3 12.8 Light Heavyweight
Virgo started well working the jab and getting some good combinations off, Van Poetsch covered up well and got some good shots off but it was Virgos round. In the second Virgo controlled the round with good movement and banged in some heavy shots, Van Poetsch got though with some big rights but Virgo won the round. The third was a good round with both fighters getting there shots off Virgo won the round with the better and more eye catching shots. Great finish to the fight with Van Poetsch really testing Virgo with some big shots, Virgo took them and battled back but it was Van Poetsch round.
Result Dexter - 39-37 Ref – 30-37 Virgo wins on points
Main Event Midlands Area Lightweight title Shaun Cooper v Jack O’Keeffe 9.7 10x3 9.6
High paced start to this title fight with both fighters letting there hands go, bit scrappy in parts with the ref having to talk to them, close round could not split them. The second was another hard round with both fighters giving it there all, I just had Cooper just edging it.
The third was another hard fought round, O’Keeffe’s came out in this round and after the ref put it back in Cooper came out strong to win the round. O’Keeffe came out firing in the forth but so did Cooper as they exchanged combinations in the middle of the ring. O’Keeffe then banged in some cracking body shots putting Cooper down, the ref Kevin Parker counted but Cooper could not beat the count.
Result Jack O’Keeffe wins 4th round stoppage Lightweight Midlands Area Champion
Dexter’s Thoughts
Well what a cracking main event, two unbeaten fighters looking the capture there first title. Now I’m going to be honest, I did think like a lot of people thought that Cooper would win this because of that 10 round win against Boy Jones. Both fighters went for it from the first bell and Cooper was starting to just edge it on my card going into the fourth. O’Keeffe then smashed in some cracking body shots to drop Cooper who could not recover, the roar from O’Keeffe’s supporters nearly took the roof off the Holte Suite. I have always liked ‘No Beef' O’Keeffe and have always thought he is a cracking talent, the vegan has now gone up ten fold in my eyes and has shown he can mix it with the best. It will be great to see how far Jack O’Keeffe can go. Idris Virgo looked impressive tonight against one of favourite journey men in Lewis Van Poetsch, Virgo kept Van Poetsch at bay for the first 3 rounds with some nice power shots and great movement. Van Poetsch had his moments in them rounds but Virgo was bossing it, in the fourth Poochie came to life and banged in some cracking right hands which to Virgos credit he took well and really tested the unbeaten fighter. I think Virgo needs to be tested now, may be in one of these 50/50 fights that TOPROMOTIONS have been doing. It was great to see Ryan Kelly in a six round fight, Kelly controlled the fight from start to finish and showed good shot selection and movement. Kelly will be looking to fight for major titles in the near future and he is definitely at British, European and Commonwealth level and these are the belts he should be looking for. River Wilson-Bent was in destructive form tonight stopping his opponent in the second round, he was out for a while after having a operation on his hand and what ever they did to it has worked wonders. His hand speed, movement and shot selection was very impressive and I can see a star in the making, I think he has a big future ahead of him. Shaka Thompson was also very impressive tonight his movement and shot picking was quality and that his opponent just could not catch him with a decent shot. Thompson is now 6 without defeat and should also be looking for a more testing opponent so he can take it to the next level. This was the first time I had seen Ryan Hatton box and I got to say I was very impressed, he has got some heavy hands and picks his shots well with some great movement. I look forward to seeing him fight again very soon. The Birmingham Boxing Column would like to thank Tommy Owens Promotions for having the Column at there show.