Birmingham’s Lennox Clarke pulled off a shock victory Live on BT Sports on the Queensberry promotions show where he was crowned British and Commonwealth Super Middleweight champ. Known as ‘Dangerous’ Clarke (29) lived up to his name by stopping the then-unbeaten and Queensberry promotions hot prospect Willy Hutchinson in sensation style. This was Clarke’s second attempt at the British and Commonwealth titles after losing in a split decision in his only defeat in 21 contests against Lerrone Richards. Hutchinson (22 from Scotland) came into this fight as the bookies' clear favorite with an unbeaten record of 13 fights.
This 12 round contest was the main event on Queensberry promotion's second show of the weekend (27.3.21) at the Copper Box arena, Hackney. Clarke weighed in bang on 12 stone with Hutchinson coming in 11 stone 13.
At the start of the first round both fighters just sized each other up, Clarke then started to press in the second part of the round with Hutchinson switch-hitting. Untidy start to the second but Hutchinson started to unleash some sweet combinations, Clarke stood strong and battled back but Hutchinson round. Hutchinson sustained a cut above his left eye due to a clash of heads. Clarke upped the pace at the start of the third and started to rough up Hutchinson, Hutchinson worked well behind his jab when Clarke let him, but I would have to give this round to Clarke for his pressure.
Clarke was warned by the ref for hitting Hutchinson on the back of the head at the start of the fourth, Clarke continued to move forward and press getting some good shots off getting close. Hutchinson had some joy but Clarke nicked this round for me. Clarke continued his high-paced start in the fifth keeping the pressure as Hutchinson tried to keep it long. Clarke then unleashed a destructive right hand that rocked Hutchinson to his boots, Clarke then caught Hutchinson with another cracking right hand followed by a left hook that dropped Hutchinson for the first time in his career. Hutchinson managed to get to his feet but the ref waved off the fight I minute and 5 seconds into the fifth.
Dexter’s Thought’s
What a performance by Lennox Clarke last night, you could see in the stony stair he gave Hutchinson before the fight he was not going to be denied. For the bookies, Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions this was a shock victory but the fight was really man against boy. Lennox's looked the part and his game plan was perfect for Hutchinson and he definitely lives up to his name as ‘dangerous’. In my opinion, he should have been crowned British and Commonwealth champ in 2019 when he took on Richards but he has now rectified that result and now is the champ. The sky is now the limit for Clarke now as I’m sure he will want to kick on and fight for the European or even world titles in the next year. Clarke has already been crowned the Bbcolumn ‘Boxer of the Year' back in 2017 and with this win could well be crowned it again in 2021. He has also set his place in history by being entered into the Birmingham Boxing Column ‘Hall of Fame' after winning g the British and Commonwealth titles. The Column looks forward to seeing what Clarke and his BcB team do next.
The Column would like to congratulate Lennox on his win and a great performance and hope to catch up with him for an interview soon.
