Queensberry promotions held their last show at the Utilita Arena Birmingham (10.10.21) where three of the Midlands finest where fighting for titles. Fighting on the night you had Black Country Boxing Promotions Danny Ball taking on Ekow Essuman for his British, Commonwealth and IBF European titles in the welterweight division. Also, you had English champ Liam Davis who was taking on Dixon Flores for the vacant WBC International silver super-bantamweight title. The main event of the show was between British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champ Brad Foster taking on the EBU European Champ Jason Cunningham with all 3 belts on the line.
First up was Danny Ball taking on the British, Commonwealth and IBF European Welterweight champ Ekow Essuman for all three titles. Ball weighing in 10 stone 6 with Essuman coming in the same with the fight scheduled for 12 three-minute rounds.
Fast start by both fighters with no feeling out process, Ball did well but Essuman let off some big right hands with Ball being cut by a clash of heads. As the fight went on Essuman was winning the battle of the jabs and his relentless pressure and fast hands was winning him the fight. Ball had some success in the fourth with some big shots but Essuman continued to press and pressure and got some good shots of his own off. The end came in the sixth round when Essuman caught Ball with an evil right hand, he then let loose with a flurry of shots dropping Ball in the corner. The ref started to count but Ball had already signalled to his corner he was done as blood flowed out of his mouth. The ref then counted Ball out 1 minute and 13 seconds of the sixth round.
Next was English Bantamweight champ Liam Davis taking on Nicaraguan Dixon Flores for the WBC Super Bantamweight international silver title. Davis weighed in 8 stone 9 with Flores coming in 8 stone 10 for this 10-round contest.
Davis came out fast and worked behind his jab well and shook Flores in the third with some heavy shots. Flores who had came to win came back with big shots of his own but Davis was always in control. Flores continued to press and pressure but Davis used his jab well to keep Flores at bay and got some lovely uppercuts in as he maintained his high tempo. Davis caught Flores with a big right hand in the eighth and did look like he may get him out of there in that round, Flores stood strong and weathered the storm with Davis showing great maturity by going back to his jab when the moment had gone. Davis continued to box well to the final bell winning every round in my opinion even with Flores pressing him until the end.
The judges score card were like this, Bela Florian and Victor Loughlin had it 100 to 90, Davis, and Olena Pobyvail had it 99 to 91 Davis. Davis winning a unanimous points decision, myself I had it 100 to 90 Davis.
The main event was the British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champ Brad Foster taking on the EBU European Champ Jason Cunningham in a 12-round contest. The first four rounds where very cagey with Foster just out working the southpaw Cunningham in all of them to establish a clear lead. The fifth round was even with Foster being warned by the ref for holding. Foster showed great movement in the sixth making Cunningham miss a lot as he countered well. Scrappy seventh round which suited Cunningham who edged it with his work rate. The eighth saw Foster first warned for a low blow and then he had a point taken off for a second low blow, Foster also sustained a cut over his left eye due to a clash of heads but in my opinion still did enough to win the round but with the point deduction I scored it nine, nine. Round nine and ten where both Foster’s rounds as he moved well and got some fantastic counters off in a great display of boxing. Cunningham came on strong in the two championship rounds edging both of them with some good shots and a great work rate.
The judges scored it like this Ian John Lewis had it 114 to 113 Cunningham, John Latham had it 116 to 112 Cunningham and Victor Loughlin had it 115 to 114 Cunningham as well. Cunningham winning by unanimous decision, myself I had it 116 to 112 Foster.
Dexter’s Thought’s
Just got to say what great performance’s from all the Midlands fighters, win or lose you did yourselves proud. Danny Ball stepped up to a mammoth challenge of taking on Ekow Essuman for his three titles, but watching Essuman you could see how he had earned these titles. Ball did what he could and made it a competitive fight and how he took the right hand at the end which fractured his jaw in two paces was a credit to him and his team. After that right hand Essuman had to open up with a flurry of shots to put him done and with blood pouring from his mouth you could see the fight was over. Massive credit to Ball as he showed loads of heart and I can definitely see him coming back stronger and wiser from this fight and contending again for one of the big three titles.
Liam Davis showed a maturity beyond his years as he took on a very tough and experienced fighter in Flores. Flores came to win this fight but Davis boxed well behind his jab as controlled every round winning with a clean sweep on my card and two of the judges. This was a very disciplined display and he has stated that he wanted the winner out of Foster and Cunningham, but I think they may have to have a rematch before he can get it on with one of them.
I could not believe the Foster result I had Foster winning it quite convincingly and really don’t know what fight the judges were watching. If I was Foster I would be feeling very hard done by and would be looking for an rematch as soon as possible. Foster out worked him for the first four rounds and even with the point deduction won on my card quite convincingly. I really hope Foster can get a rematch so he can reclaim his titles and add the European to them.