Battle at the Bank's BcB

Black Country boxing held there penultimate show of the year at the Bank’s stadium suite at Walsall football ground (7,12,19). The show consisted of 6 bouts of boxing with three of them being over 4 three minute rounds and two over six 3 minute rounds. Doing the 4 rounders’ in the home corner you had Troi Coleman, Cole Johnson and Owen Copper. Doing six rounders’ you had the unbeaten Liam Davis and the former British title challenger Ricky Summers. The main event was a Midlands area title match for the Featherweight title to be contested over 10 rounds. With Kevin Parker refereeing on the night and the stunning Toni from Diamond ring girls doing the round cards the stage was set for an exciting night of boxing.

Fight 1 Troi Coleman v Sam Omidi Super Middleweight 4x3

Steady start to the round by both fighters as they sized each other up, close round as both fighters got good shots off, Coleman nicked the round. The second was another good round with Omidi making a good account of himself, Coleman was getting good jabs and one two’s off to nick the round again. In the third Coleman stepped up the pace and got some cracking combinations off, Omidi continued to work hard but was now getting out boxed. In the final round Coleman was in control and was boxing well, Omidi fought back hard but it was Coleman’s round.

Result Dexter - 40-36 Ref - 40-36 Coleman wins on points

Fight 2 Liam Davis v Stefan Nicolae Super Bantamweight 6x3

Cracking first round with both fighters getting good shots off, both fighters got caught with good shots, even round. In the second this was turning out to be a great test for the unbeaten Davis as Nicolae was boxing well and got some eye catching shots off. Davis never looked flustered and won the round with the cleaner shots. In the third Davis got his jab going well but Nicolae was still looking to bang in big shots, there were some really good exchanges at the end of the round, another close one but Davis nicked it.

Round 4 was another hard fought round with Nicolae continued to press and get some good shots off, Davis rose to the occasion and came back with good shots to nick the round. Nicolae seemed to be tiring in the fifth but was moving well and still getting some good shots off, Davis's work rate won him the round. Davis worked well behind his jab in the final round getting some nice combinations off, Nicolae looked tired now but continued to press and tested Davis until the final bell.

Result Dexter – 60-55 Ref - 59-55 Davis wins on points

Fight 3 Cole Johnson v Dean Jones Lightweight 4x3

Johnson started the first round fast and was getting some cracking combinations off and showing great movement winning the round with ease. Jones was earning his money tonight as Johnson banged in some heavy combinations in the second, Jones fought back as hard as he could but Johnson was all over him. In the third Johnson continued to bang in great combinations as Jones covered up well and came back with shot of his own. Jones pressed at the start of the final round but he was soon on the back foot as Johnson piled on the pressure to the joy of his fans.

Results Dexter - 40-36 Ref – 40-36 Johnson wins on points

Fight 4 Owen Cooper v Fonzo Alexander Welterweight 4x3

Cooper came out the traps quick getting some sharp combinations off in the first, Alexander who was having fight 116 came back with some good combinations but Cooper took the round with ease. Great second round with Cooper catching Alexander with a cracking combination which seemed to wobble him. Alexander came back with some big shots of his own and seemed to wobble Cooper, battling round but Coopers work rate won it for him. Alexander was still getting some good shots off in the third but Cooper was in control banging in big combinations and some heavy shots. In the final round Alexander battled hard but Cooper was in control and powered his way to the final bell with some great combinations.

Result Dexter - 40-36 Ref – 40-36 Cooper wins on points

Fight 5 Ricky Summers v Raimonds Sniedze Light Heavyweight 6x3

Summers worked well behind a sharp jab in the first getting some nice one twos off winning the round with ease. Everything came off Summers jab in the second as he shot out some nice one, twos, Sniedze was having a good go back and keeping it interesting but it was Summers round.

Summers started the third round strong and had Sniedze down midway though with a cracking right hand, Sniedze got to his feet and carried on but from there on in it was Summers banging in combinations to the head and body until ref Kevin Parker jumped in to stop the fight.

Result Summers wins third round stoppage

Fight 6 Main event Featherweight Midlands area title 10x3

Fast start by both fighters as they both got off good shots, hard one to call both fighters had there no moments. Great second round with both fighters getting good shots off, Beech took this round for me with the better work rate and shot selection. In the third when Beech stuck to his boxing he was in control but Jones sucked him into a little skirmish that he won, even round.

Beech started the forth round well but Jones took the centre of the ring and pressed Beech getting some good shots to the body and head, Beech saved the round by finishing very strong. Beech boxed well in the fifth and was moving well around the ring with every combinations coming off the jab, Jones had some joy but Beech won the round. Tough sixth round for Beech who seemed to be taking a round off, Jones took advantage and banged in some big combinations to win the round.

Beech got back on his jab in the seventh and picked Jones off, Jones got some good shots off but Beech won the round. Great eighth round for Beech as he moved well around the ring picking his shots well, Jones continued to pressure but Beech won the round. Cracking ninth round with both fighters banging in great shots with great combinations by both fighters, very close round with Beech sustaining a small cut above his left eye. The final round was an all out war with both fighters banged in big shots, Jones got this round for me.

Result Dexter - 98-94 Ref - 96-95 Beech wins on points.

Dexter’s Thoughts

What a great night of boxing, let’s start with the main event. James Beech jr was crowned Featherweight Midlands area champion in a close, hard fought contest. I had him winning by a bigger margin but there were so many rounds that could have been called either way I can see why Kevin Parker had it so close. Luke Jones put on a great performance and brought out the best in Beech and on another day may have been champion but Beech rose to the occasion and battled hard when he had to claim his second Midlands area title. I talked to his dad James Beech Senior after and asked if the two times champ would be dropping down to super Bantamweight to challenge fellow Midlander Brad Foster for his British and Commonwealth titles. Beech Snr told me that it is a possibility but they were thinking of staying at Featherweight as the British title is vacant at the moment. What ever they decided I honestly think Beech jr needs to be fighting for a British title in 2020 and enter the Bbcolumn Hall of Fame. Next up we had Ricky Summers, he was in no mood to be wasting time and banged in some great combinations. He put his opponent down in the third with a cracking right hand and when he got up Summers did not stop banging in shots until the ref jumped in and stopped the fight. Summers will be looking to fight for big title in 2020 and under the tutelage of Spencer McCracken I can see a major title in his further. This was the first time I had seen Owen Cooper fight and I got to say I was very impressed, he was taking on a very good journeyman in Alexander and won every round, I look forward to seeing him again. Cole Johnson put on a great display of boxing and really made Dean Jones earn his money tonight. You had to give Jones a lot of credit as Jones kept it competitive and gave Johnson a good fight. What a great test for Liam Davis tonight and if it was not for the main event this would have been fight of the night. Nicolae was looking to really put it on Davis who rose to the occasion and fought back hard and had the best brought out in him. This was a great test for the young fighter which he passed with flying colours. Trio Coleman won in convincing style to start the night off, he is a very talented fighter and is looking better and better every time I see him fight. He is now 6 without defeat and I’m sure he will be looking for a Midlands title shot in 2020. The Birmingham Boxing Column would like to thank Black Country Boxing for having us at there show.