Three of Kingstandings Second City Gym Pros showcased their immense talents last night at the Tommy Owens Promotions show Summer Brawls II (10.6.23). Showcasing their skills at Planet Ice Solihull where the Coley brothers Brad and Lewis and former Team GB and Commonwealth Games contender Niall Farrell were all doing Four, three-minute round contests.
Brad Coley (22) who was having the second contest of his pro career was the first of the second city fighters on the stacked card with him taking on Jake Pollard in a Flyweight contest. Brad had been impressive in his first contest and was looking to continue his progress against the 31-year-old Pollard who had, had 48 fights. Coley weighed in eight stone 10 with Pollard coming in right stone 9 with Pete McCormick reffing.
Coley opened up from the first bell with lightening fast combinations going head and body like a veteran fighter not giving Pollard a chance to return fire. Coley continued his good work in the second working the body and picking his shots well making Pollard already go into survival mode early in the round.
Pollard was having to earn his money tonight as Coley hit him with every shot in the book in the third with a massive variety of combinations with everything coming off a snappy jab. Pollard had a go at the start of the final round and caught Coley with a nice right hand, Coley took it and then smashed in combination after combination with Pollard in full survival mode and somehow seeing the final round.
Judge Chris Dean had it 40 to 36 Coley, I had it the same.
Brad’s brother Lewis was the next second city fighter on the card and the twenty-four-year-old was taking on thirty-five-year-old Southpaw Lee Hallett in a welterweight contest. Lewis who has been a pro since 2019 has had a stop-start career and was looking to take his unbeaten record to six without defeat. Lewis and Hallett both weighed in ten stone three with Pete McCormick reffing.
Both fighters didn’t do much for the first minute of the first round, then Coley came to life picking the eye-catching shots and putting some sweet combinations together. Coley upped his work rate in the second and smashed in some evil jabs and right hands, Hallett tried to fight back but Coley was to quick and slick, slipping shots and countering well.
Coley had serious intent in both hands as every shot he let go in third looked to put the hurt on Hallett, Coley caught Hallett with some cracking heavy shots to win the round. Hallett had ago in the final round but Coley slipped most of his shots and came back with nice shots of his own, Hallett got some good shots in the final minute of the round to just shade the round.
Judge Chris Dean scored it 39 to 37 Coley I had it the same.
The final fighter out of the Second City gym and headlining the show was the twenty-five-year-old Niall Farrell who was having his second Pro contest of his career. He was taking on the veteran Journeyman Liam Richards who had, had over one hundred professional fights in his career. The contest was in the super lightweight division with Farrell weighing in 9 stone thirteen and Richards coming in 10 stone with Chris Dean reffing
Fast start from Farrell who didn’t stop unloading punches on Richards until the bell went to finish the first round. The second was a continuation of the first as Farrell put quality combinations together putting Richards into full survival mode.
Farrell continued the great work he was doing putting fantastic combinations together in the third, Farrell was warned by the ref for using his shoulder but after this, Farrell continued to go to head and body breaking Richards down. Richards was earning his money tonight as Farrell went to close the show letting go of everything, he had a go to get Richards out of there, Richards used all the tricks in the journeyman handbook to hear the final bell.
Chris Dean scored it 40 to 36 Farrell I had it the same.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Three great performances by three highly talented fighters all from the same stable. Head coach Paddy Farrell and his team should be very proud of how their fighters are progressing in the professional ranks. Brad Coley looks like a fighter who has been a pro for years as he has such a great professional style. His movement, speed, and shot-picking is so impressive at such a young age and I can only see titles in his future. He is only two fights into his pro career but I think this talented fighter should be fast-tracked and should fight for an area title in his next four or five fights as I can see big things for this talented boxer.
Lewis Coley is without question one of the most talented prospects in the Midlands at the moment but still being a prospect after four years as a pro says it all. He has suffered injuries but has also had long periods of inactivity with him only having six fights in four years. In my opinion, Lewis should be now contending for British, European or even world titles now and it has been frustrating following this talented fighter’s career. Coley showcased his immense talents in this fight but I found out after that he injured his hand in the fight and it maybe fractured. I talked to him after and I can see that he really wants to kick on with his career and bring some titles back to the gym. I hope his hand is not as bad as they think and this talented fighter can be back out soon.
Twenty-five-year-old Niall Farrell headlined the show and also put in a fantastic performance against a veteran Journeyman in Richards who can make prospects look ordinary. This was not the case against this highly talented fighter who put every combination in the book together to have Richards in survival mode for most of the contest. There is no doubt in my mind that Niall Farrell has titles in his future and like his stable mate Bead Coley he should be fast-tracked to fight for an area title sooner repairer than later. Farrell has got to be one of the hottest prospects in Britain at the moment and I can see the big promoters coming in for him very soon.
Congratulations to all three of the fighters for not just the wins but for the performances as they showcased their talents. I am really looking forward to seeing these lads out again very soon.