Birmingham’s ‘Poet with a Punch’ Matt Windle (30) put on a great display as he moved up a weight to take on Tommy Frank (28) for the British Flyweight title (18, 9, 21). The fight was scheduled over 12 three-minute rounds and was in Frank's hometown of Sheffield at the Ponds Forge arena. Both fighters weighed in the day before 7 stone 13 refereeing on the day was John Latharn.
A steady start to the first by both fighters with Frank taking the center of the ring just shading the round. Windle came out with a purpose in the second as he let his hand go and got some good shots off, Windle was then caught with a cracking right hand which put him down, he took an eight-count then continued to battle until the end of the round. Frank work well behind a long jab and got some big shots off at the start of the third, Windle battled back hard and got some good combinations off but Frank who looking a lot bigger edged the round. Battling round by both fighters as Windle worked hard on the inside but was getting caught by Frank with eye-catching uppercuts, Frank won the round.
Windle pressure started to pay off in the fifth as he got some nice combinations in on the inside to win the round. Windle continued to pressure and press in the sixth and got some great shots off but Frank showed great movement and picked his shots well but this was Windle’s round. Windle used his speed and great combinations going in and out in the seventh, Frank got some good shots in but Windle nicked this one. Frank started to work behind his jab again and controlled the eighth, Windle continued to press but Frank won this one.
Aggressive start by Windle to the ninth but Frank used his jab well to keep him at bay, Frank ended the round strongly to win it. Windle got some nice combinations off at the start of the tenth but Frank took control with some big shots, Windle stayed with him and got a share of the round. Loads of heart showed but Windle in the eleventh as he continued to get some great combinations in but Frank banged in the eye-catching shots to win the round. Both fighters went for it in the final round, Windle pressed but the big shots came from Frank as he won the round.
The judges had it like this Michael Alexander had it 117-111 to Frank, Howard Foster gad it 118 – 109 Frank, and Terry O’Connor had it 117 – 110 to Frank. I had it 117 to 111 to Frank.
Dexter’s Thought’s
Windle put on a great performance tonight and left it all in the ring, he had moved up a weight and gone to Frank’s hometown for his chance at winning a Lonsdale belt. Frank looked much bigger than Windle at the weight and I think the day before weigh-in was a big factor in this fight. They both came in 7 stone 13 but I have a feeling Frank came in much heavier than that. Frank’s jab was the key to him winning this fight but Windle was always in a lot of the rounds and the scorecards did not reflect how close this fight was. The Knockdown early in the fight was key as well it was a great right-handed but I think Windle showed his experience asking the eight-count getting his head together and working his way back into the fight. I’m sure Windle will learn from this and will come back and compete for this title again. I look forward to seeing ‘The Matt Man’ again.