Tommy Owens Promotions headed to Coventry for there first of two shows in March at the Sports Connexions arena (11.3.23). The show consisted of 6 contests 4 of them over four, three-minute rounds a female exhibition contest over six two-minute rounds and a six three-minute round contest. Fighting out of the home corner doing the four rounder’s we had Kronks gym Elliott Hurley, Callum Singh the talented prospect Danny Quartermaine and making his debut David Butlin. In the female exhibition you had Jessica Barry who took on Stevi – Ann Levy and in the six round contest we saw former English champ River Wilson-Bent taking on Darryl Sharp. Reffing on the night you had Chris Dean and Pete McCormick ring girls on the night you had Adele and Pandora.
First on the card you had Elliot Hurley who was having his second contest as a pro after winning his first. He was taking on the very game Lee Hallett in a four-round contest in the welterweight division. Hurley and Hallett both weighed in10 stone 6 with Chris Dean Reffing.
Fast start by Hurley who got his jab hoping well from the first bell, Hallett made the round competitive but Hurley’s jab won him the round. Hallett had a go at the start of the second but Hurley returned fire with some nice jabs and combinations controlling the round, Hallett rallied at the end at the end but Hurley won the round. Hallett again put it on the young prospect at the start of the third with Hurley matching him and returning fire, Hurley had to dig deep as Hallett applied controlled pressure with some great shots to win the round. Hurley came out with some good jabs to try and take control of the final round, but Hallett continued to get good combinations off to the body and head. Hurley returned fire but thus was Hallett round.
I scored it 38 to 38 a draw ref Chris Dean had it the same.
Next up we had Coventry’s Callum Singh who was taking on Nabil Ahmed in a four round Bantamweight contest. Both fighters weighed in 8 stone 5 with Pete McCormick reffing.
Singh showed great shot picking from the start and controlled the ring while putting combinations together to win the round. Singh controlled the second round with his jab and letting some nice back hands go, Ahmed had a go back but Singh just paid him back in full with some nice combinations. Ahmed asked some questions in the third as he stepped up the pressure, Singh had all the answers with some great shot picking. Ahmed showed he was still game getting some good shots off in the final round while moving well around the ring. Singh kept his cool and continued to put his shots together to win the round and the fight.
Myself and the judge scored the fight 40 to 36 Singh.
The fight on the card was a six-round female exhibition contest in the Super Lightweight division. Jessica Barry was taking on Stevi Levy with Barry weighing in 9 stone 9 and Levy coming in nine stone 3 with Chris Dean reffing.
Good movement from both fighters in the first round who both put good combinations together. Both fighters let there hands go in this exhibition contest with Levy having the better of the second. The third was another competitive round with both fighters letting shots good shots off and combinations Barry just got the better in this round.
Great exhibition of boxing in the fourth with both fighters letting there hand go and showcasing there skills. The fifth was another competitive round with both fighters having joy, Levy had the better of thus round. Both fighters continued there good work into the final round entertaining the crowd with some nice boxing, Barry just edged this one.
Great Exhibition
Fight number four was a six round contest with the former English Middleweight champ River Wilson-Bent taking on Darryl Sharp the a Cruiserweight contest. Wilson-Bent weighed in at 12 stone Sharp came in at 13 stone with Pete McCormick reffing.
Wilson-Bent eased his way into the first round using his jab to dictate the pace, he let some nice shots go but kept it simple to win the round. In the second Wilson-Bent sharpened up his shots and started to let some cracking one, twos go with everything coming off a nice jab. Sharp started to talk to Wilson-Bent in the third as he was getting caught with some heavy shots, Wilson-Bent won the round with ease.
Every shot Wilson-Bent let go in the fourth had intent behind them with some evil body shots and cracking one, two’s. Wilson-Bent dominated the fifth round as he controlled the ring and continued to let his hands go with nice combinations. Scrappy final round as Sharp tried to spoil and hold, as the round went on Wilson-Bent took control winning the round Scrappy final round as Sharp tried tried to spoil and hold as the round went on Wilson-Bent took control winning the round with ease.
Myself and the judge scored it 60 to 54 Wilson-Bent.
Next on the card was a debutant in the light Heavyweight division, in the home corner you had David Butlin who was taking on Genadij Virajevsjij. Butlin weighed in 12 stone 8 with his opponent 12 stone 7 with Pete McCormick reffing.
Nice simple boxing by Butlin who put his nice jab and great one, twos to use to win the round. Butlin let his hands go in the second and got some nice combinations off with his opponent not really having any answers to him. Some big shots in the third by Butlin who seemed to be growing in confidence in every round, Butlin show great pressure and combinations to win the round. Butlin continued his hood work in the final round putting big together to put a shut out performance on his debut.
Myself and the judge scored it 40 to 36 Butlin
The final fight of the night was the unbeaten highly talented prospect Danny Quartermaine who was taking on Silas Volosinas in a four round lightweight contest. Both fighters came in nine stone nine with Chris Dean reffing.
Quartermaine let his hands go from the first bell with fast combinations and great movement winning the first round with ease. Quartermaine hit his opponent with every shot in the book in the second and showcased his skills and talent in this beat down round. Quartermaine slowed the pace in the third and picked his shots well landing at will. Quartermaine played with his opponent like a cat with a mouse with every shot landing with speed and hurtful accuracy to dominant a great performance.
Myself and Chris Dean scored it 40 to 36 Quartermaine.
Dexter’s Thoughts
I can say I really enjoyed this show with all the journey people putting in shifts to get the best out of the prospects in the home corner.
Elliott Hurley had to dig deep in his contest as Hallett gave him a proper test, the prospect battle hard and the fight ended in a draw but this will keep him in good stead in the future as he would have learned a lot more from this fight that a easy victory.
Callum Singh impressed on his second Pro contest against an opponent who came to have a go. He showed great movement and shot selection winning every round and with his big following could well go far.
The female exhibition contest was a little cracker and if you hadn’t, you’d me I wouldn’t have known it was an exhibition. Both fighters went for it and it was a great showcase of female boxing that I really enjoyed.
River Wilson-Bent went though the gears and looked sharp against a very tricky veteran Journeyman who looks to frustrate and spoil. It was great to see Wilson-Bent on a small hall show but his talents should be really on tge bigger shows and I can see him getting back there very down.
David Butlin had a shut out debut and grew with every round he did, he looked very focus and has a upright amateur style that seems to work for him, I look forward to seeing him fight again.
Danny Quartermaine put a beat down on his opponent in a technical brilliant performance, he showcased all his skills with great movement and shot picking and should be moving up in the levels so he can be tested and start winning some titles.
The Birmingham Boxing Column would like to thank Tommy Owens Promotions for having the Column