Tommy Owens Promotions held there April show ‘Collision Course 2’ at the Holte Suite Villa Park Birmingham. The show consisted of six fights with three of them over four three-minute rounds one over four two-minute rounds a six rounder and a Ten round Midlands title fight. Doing the four rounders’ in the home corner you had Tyler Christopher, Megan Redstall, Oli Cassidy and making his debut Samuel Pikire. Fighting in the six rounder in the home corner was Michael Hennessy jr who had won 8 out of 10 fights. The main event was for the vacant Lightweight Midlands area title between Ishmael Ellis and Louis Fielding who have both fought for this title two time before. Referees on the night were Kevin Parker and Chris Dean with the ring girls being provided by CP Agency.
First up was a super Welterweight contest with the 25-year-old unbeaten Tyler Christopher taking on experience Journeyman MJ Hall. Both fighters weighed in 10 stone 12 with Chris Dean reffing.
Nice tidy start by Christopher who showed great movement and picked his shots well to win the round. Christopher went to the head and body well in the second winning the round with ease. Hall had a go back in the third but Christopher soon took control again as he stayed composed and picked his shots well to win the round. Hall made the final round competitive but was out worked by Christopher who won the round with ease.
Ref Chris Dean scored it 40 to 36 Christopher, I had it the same.
Second on the card was a Super Bantamweight female fight between Megan Redstall who took on Claudia Ferenczi over four two-minute rounds, Redstall weighed in 8 stone 2 Ferenczi came in 8 stone 9 with Chris Dean reffing.
Fast start by Redstall who put some good shots together to win the first round. Nice movement in the second as Redstall controlled the round picking her shots well. The third was also controlled by Redstall who put together some hurtful combinations. Ferenczi had a right go in the final round with Redstall matching her and winning the round.
Ref Chris Dean had it 40 to 36 Redstall I had it the same.
The third contest was super Welterweight debutant Samuel Pikire taking on Liam Richards, Pikire weighed in 9 stone 6 with Richards coming in 9 stone 13 with Kevin Parker reffing
Pikire showed great movement and shot picking winning his first round with ease. Richards used some nice journeyman moves to mess Pikire about, Pikire continued to pick his shots well winning the second round. In the third Richards covered up and moved well getting some good shots off bullying Pikire ability which the debutant didn’t like. Pikire was caught a lot in this round with gum shield also falling out. Pikire got back to his boxing in the final round getting some nice combinations off, Richards continued to mess and annoy Pikire but he won the round.
Ref Kevin Parker scored it 40 to 36 Pikire I had it 39 to 37 Pikire.
Forth on the card was a Middleweight contest between Oli Cassidy who was unbeaten in 4 fights and Richard Helm. Cassidy weighed in 11 stone 2 with Helm coming in 11 stone 5 with Chris Dean reffing.
Nice competitive round with both fighters getting good shots off, Cassidy nicked the round with better shots. Helm got some good shots off in the second and brought the best out of Cassidy who showed great movement and got some great shots off. Helm made Cassidy work for the whole of the third round as he continued to ask questions, Cassidy kept his composure and used some nice combinations to win the round. Helm covered up well in the final round and got some good shots off but was just out worked by Cassidy who won the rounds and the fight.
Ref Chris Dean had it 39 to 37 to Cassidy, I had it 40 to 36 Cassidy.
The final fight on the under card was another Middleweight contest with Michael Hennessy jr taking on George Rogers. Hennessey weighed in 11 stone 3 with Rogers coming in 11 stone with Chris Dean reffing.
Hennessey jr out boxed Rogers for all six rounds winning the fight with ease 59 to 55 to Hennessy jr.
The main event of the night was a ten round title fight for the vacant Lightweight Midlands area title between Ishmael Ellis and Louis Fielding. Ellis weighed in 9 stone 8 with Fielding coming in 9 stone 5 with Kevin Parker refereeing.
Good tidy start by both fighters with Ellis winning the round as he was the busier. The second was a cagey one with Fielding and Ellis both having joy. Ellis landed some big shots that rocked Fielding and won him the round. Fielding hot some good shots off in the third but Ellis was just out working him and getting the bigger shots off to win the round.
Both fighters started the fourth strong with Fielding getting some eye-catching combinations off, Ellis took control of the round in the second minute and just edged the round. Ellis let some big shots go at the start of the fifth with Fielding taking them well and getting shots off himself but Ellis nicked the round. Ellis continued to look for the one big shot in the sixth but Fielding was taking them well as Ellis dominated the round. Ellis seemed in complete control in the seventh as he looked for the big overhand right, Fielding was still getting some good shots off but Ellis won the round.
The eighth was a quite one with Ellis seeming to be having a rest, Fielding stepped up the pace with good shots winning the round. Ellis seemed to be tiring in the ninth as Fielding got some good shots off, Ellis rallied bear the end of the round but Fielding hot this one. The final round was a scrappy one with Fielding looking to take advantage of Ellis being tired, Ellis battle hard and hung in the to see the final bell with Fielding winning the round.
Ref Kevin Parkers scored it 96 to 94 to Ellis I had it 97 to 93 Ellis
Ishmael Ellis The New Lightweight Midlands area Champ.
Dexter’s Thought’s
Another great show by Tommy Owens Promotions with a quality undercard and great main event.
We will start with the main event both fighters had felt defeat for this title not once but twice each, so you knew they where leaving everything in the ring. Ellis was not going to be denied tonight but loads of credit to Fielding who came on strong in the last 3 rounds of the fight. I’m sure now Ellis has claimed this title at the third attempt himself and his team will be looking to move on to bigger titles in the future.
Tyler Christopher impressed again in a shut out victory against a very experienced journeyman in MJ Hall, he is now 4 without defeat and will be eyeing a Midlands title fight in 3 or 4 fights if he continues his great work.
Megan Redstall impressed in her second fight winning every round and keeping her unbeaten record. The 20-year-old showed great movement and shot picking and is looking like a good prospect for the female division.
Samuel Pikire showed his skills in his debut fight against the tough journeyman Liam Richards. Pikire showcased some great movement and combinations and looked the part but did seem to get mad when the veteran Richards used some old school journeyman tactics to mess him around. It was a great debut by the 29-year-old and again he looks like a good prospect.
Oli Cassidy was in a cracking fight with his opponent coming to have a go. Cassidy was never in trouble in the bout but Helm asked him enough questions to make it a entertaining and competitive fight. Cassidy raised his game in this fight and impressed when Helm did put it on him and has moved his unbeaten record to 5 with out defeat.
Michael Hennessy jr won his 6-round contest with no real fuss in a one-sided contest to take him to 9 wins 1 draw and 1 defeat.
The Birmingham Boxing Column thanks Tommy Owens Promotions for having the Column at this show.