In the second instalment of Matchroom’s Fight Camp there were meant to be 2 fighters representing the Midlands on the show. Unfortunately after being in the ‘Matchroom’s bubble’ for nearly a week Birmingham’s Kane Baker was told that his opponent the unbeaten Aqib Fiaz had pulled out due to illnesses. Baker said about the cancellation “I’m gutted, I’ve Shed a few tears. I’ve had one of the best weeks ever, but now it’s a sad ending. I'll be back”. Eddie Hearn has stated that he will try and reschedule this fight for as soon as next month if Fiaz still wants it.
On the show from the Midlands is the former Midlands and English Super Welterweight champ Adam Harper. Harper took on Matchroom’s Anthony Fowler in a 10 round contest live on Sky Sports, Harper weighed in 11 stone 2 and Fowler weighed in 11 stone 1.
The fight was a very one sided show with Fowler shooting out a hurtful jabs from the first bell. Fowler was warned twice in the first round for hitting low and then had a point taken off him in the second for his third low blow.
Harper was showing loads of heart and bottle but Fowler was picking his shots well and getting great combinations in to win the third with ease. Harper continued to battle hard in the forth but Fowler was just in dominate form, Fowler caught Harper with a cracking straight right in the last minute of the forth to put Harper down for the first time in his career, Harper managed to get up and see the round. The fifth was dominated by Fowler with great shots to the head and body,
Harper covered up well but was still taking at lot of shots. Fowler started the sixth strong as he picked his shots well and controlled the round. Harper was showing loads of heart but was taking way to many shots, the ref warned Fowler for yet another low blow and threatened to disqualify him if he did it again. In the seventh round Harper again had to cover up as Fowler stepped up the pace and rained in some stinging straight shot, the ref then stepped in and stopped the fight.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Fowler put on a great display of the noble art showing that he should be in the mix with the top super Welterweight in Britain. Harper showed loads of heart and maybe could have been pulled out earlier but Adam is a true warrior and wanted to see it though to the end. It will be interesting to see how Fowler can do against the likes of Egginton and Cheeseman but on that display he looked ready to mix’s with the domestic big boys.
I was gutted for Kane Baker when I heard his fight had been cancelled, I know how much he was looking forward to this fight and how much he had put into training. It was great to hear that Matchroom will be compensating him for his time and that they have told him he will get to fight on one of the Matchroom up and coming shows in the next few weeks. Hopefully he gets to take on Fiaz as it seems to me there may have been more to this story than just feeling unwell. The Column hope’s to talk to Kane in the near future and looks forward to seeing him back in the ring.