There were three fighters from the Midlands on the undercard of Eggington, Zysk world title show at the Skydome Coventry (25.6.22) which was aired live on Sky sports. On the live show you had the two winners of the Boxxer tournaments with unbeaten Cori Gibbs doing an eight rounder in his 17th contest and unbeaten Dylan Cheema doing a four rounder in his sixth fight. Also on the card was the hard-hitting Kaisee Benjamin who was meant to be fighting for a title but after his original opponent failed his medical his fight became a six rounder and was not aired on the main show.
Kaisee Benjamin took on Serge Ambomo in a six-rounder due to his original opponent failing a medical. Benjamin had already weighed in the day before the making super Lightweight as that was the division the title was in. Benjamin then had to re-weighed on the day with his coming in 10 stone 9 and Ambomo coming in 11 stone 2 with the fight now in the welterweight division. None of the dramas seemed to bother Benjamin as he picked his shots well and cruised to a convincingly victory with Ref Kevin Parker scoring it 60 to 55 Benjamin.
Kicking off the live show you had unbeaten Cori Gibbs who was taking on Carlos Perez in a eight round contest in the Super Lightweight division. Gibbs weighed in 9 stone 12 with Perez coming in the same with Chris Dean reffing.
Gibbs started the first round strong switch hitting and getting some good shots off, Perez let Gibbs know he was there getting some god shots of his own off. Gibbs stepped up the pace in the second and controlled the round with some flashy shots. Gibbs again controlled the round but Perez caught him a number of times when he switched to an orthodox stance. Perez was showing that he was not came to make up the numbers in the fourth but Gibbs showed his skills to win the round.
Not much in the fourth but Gibbs just edged it with the better shots. Gibbs seemed to take the sixth round off with Perez just out working him to win it. Perez kept up the pressure in the seventh but Gibbs used his skills to win the round. Gibbs got some nice southpaw back hands in a scrappy final round winning it.
Ref Chris Dean Scored it 79 to 73 Gibbs I had it 79 to 74 Gibbs.
Next up from Coventry's Dylan Cheema who was having his sixth contest and his first after winning the Boxxer Tournament. Cheema was doing a four rounder against the tough journeyman Stu Greener who was coming off a good win on a Tommy Owens Promotions show. Cheema weighed in 9 stone 11 with Greener coming in 9 stone 12 in the lightweight division with Chris Dean reffing.
Cheema boxed well in the first getting some good shots off, Greener came back with some big shots near the end of the round. Another good display by Cheema but Greener was still getting good shots off to keep it interesting. In the third it was Greener’s turn to shine as he put it on Cheema finishing the round strong to win the round. Greener continued to press but Cheema showed his class winning the final round.
Ref Chris Dean scored it 39 to 37 Cheema I had the same.
Dexter’s Thought’s
Three good wins for the Midlands lads on a big stage, Kaisee Benjamin added another ‘W’ to his win column but should really be having a title belt around his waist. I feel frustrated for Benjamin who I think by now should have contested for a British title and moved on to bigger things but it seems every time he takes a step closer something happens to hamper his progress. Benjamin won a qualifier for the English title back in 2020 but then postponements and Lockdown scuppered his progress. He was meant to fighting for the English title on this show and yet again fate was not with him. Kaisee Benjamin is one of the most talented fighters to come out of the famous Eastside Gym and I honestly think he has the potential to win British, European and contest for world title. I just hope he can get his opportunity to do so.
Another talent Eastside gym fighter is Cori Gibbs who was impressive on his first fight under contract with Boxxer Promotions. He did get caught a few times especially when he switched to Orthodox but I do think this was more to do with trying to stand out in quality show. Gibbs is unbeaten in 17 fights and I can see him fighting for the British title very soon.
Cheema also impressed against a very tough journeyman in Stu Greener who always cones to ask questions of the up-and-coming prospects. He is now 6 without defeat and will surly be contesting for the Midlands area title very soon.