Black Country Boxing Promotions held their first show of October called ‘Crunch-time at Lunchtime’ (01.10.23). The show consisted of give contests with four over four three-minute rounds and the main event over eight three-minute rounds. Two of the contests have already been reported on, and are in the footings of this report. The three fights remaining were all four-round contests with Nico Michael, Tony Jones, and Ryan Woolridge all in the home corner.
Nico Michael from Northampton was taking on Steven Maguire in a super Bantamweight contest. Twenty-eight-year-old Michael cane into the contest with an unbeaten record of three without defeat. Southpaw Maguire (37) from Middleton has had 45 contests and won four and drew one with two of his wins coming via stoppage. Michael came into the fight weighing eight stone seven with Maguire weighing in eight stone ten with Ryan Churchill reffing.
Busy start by both boxers as both let some good shots go, Michael’s edged the round with the cleaner shots. Michael’s started to work on the inside in the second and put some nice combinations together to Maguires head and body as he fought back hard but Michael’s winning the round. Maguire came out strong in the third but Michael matched him with both fighters letting good shots go with Michael’s winning it on work rate. Both fighters kept up this high-tempo contest in the fourth with Maguire returning fire as Michael’s poured on the pressure, I would have to give this round to Maguire.
Judge Chris Dean scored it 39 to 37 Michael i had it the same.
Tony ‘Blaze’ Jones returned to the ring after five years out, Jones from Telford was taking on Sunderland-born Jordan Ellison in a super lightweight contest. Thirty-two-year-old Jones came into this contest with a record of nine wins and one draw. Ellison (27) has entered the ring sixty-eight times winning fourteen on them with three draws. Jones weighed in nine stone eleven with Ellison coming in ten stone three with Ryan Churchill reffing.
Ellison used his jab well as he moved around the ring, and Jones landed some nice combinations to win the round. Ellison continued to use his jab well in the second and was getting some nice combinations off, Jones returned fire with some nice shots of his own but Ellison got this round. Ellison continued to use a nice jab and good movement in the third but Jones stepped up the pace letting some nice combinations off winning the round. Very hard-fought final round with both fighters letting good combinations off, a great round of boxing could not split them.
Judge Chris Dean scored the fight 39 to 37 Jones I had it 39 to 38 Jones.
Twenty-two-year-old Ryan Woolridge took his unbeaten record to seven without defeat as he took on Kristaps Zulgis in a Middleweight contest. The Walsall southpaw was having his third fight in 2023 having one in February and then April. Zulgis (31) from Wakefield was having his 60th contest of his career winning eight and drawing three. Woolridge weighed in eleven stone eight while Zulgis came in eleven stone seven with Chris Dean reffing.
Controlled round by Woolridge who used his jab well to control Zulgis and win the round. The second was another controlled round as he took the center of the ring with sharp jabs and nice combinations. Woolridge stepped up the pace in the third and let some cracking combinations go with everything coming off a sharp jab, Zulgis rallied and got some good shots off but Woolridge won the round. Woolridge worked hard in the final round letting off fast bursts with everything coming off a nice jab.
Ref Chris Dean scored it 40 to 36 Woolridge I had it the same.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great afternoon of boxing this was at the H-Suite Edgbaston, every fight was competitive and the journeymen all had a real go. This was the first time I had seen Michael fight and I was impressed, he brought a very good following down with him from Northampton and did not disappoint with a good win against a tough opponent.
It has been a while since I saw Tony Jones in the ring and it was great to see him back. He shook off the ring rust well after five years out of the ring and battled his way to a points victory in a very competitive contest,
Woolridge took his record to seven without defeat and showed what having a good habit can do for you. He controls the whole fight with it and every combination came off a nice jab in a very controlled performance.
Many thanks to Black Country Boxing for having the Column there and we look forward to the next one on the 20th of October.