The Poet with a Punch Matt Windle won a final eliminator for the Flyweight Commonwealth title against the highly-rated Scotsman Neil McCubbin. The fight was advertised as it was for the Commonwealth title but for some reason, it turned into an eliminator but was the main event on the Fightzone show in Sheffield (11.6.21). Windle whose record was 5 wins 1 draw and 3 defeats before this 12-round fight weighed in 7 stone 9 with the unbeaten McCubbin who had won all 5 of his fights weighed in 7 stone 8.
A bright start by both fighters as both of them let their hands go in the first round. Windle sustained a cut above his right eye from a clash of heads with McCubbin sustaining a cut above his left. Windle caught McCubbin with a sharp right hand which seemed to hurt McCubbin, close round could not split them. McCubbin started the second well getting good shots off Windle came back strong to get a share of the round. Close third round with both fighters getting shots off, McCubbin just edged the round. Another close round in the fourth with as both fighters went punch for punch with Windle just nicked it.
The fifth was a back-and-forth round with both fighters getting good combinations off. Windle then pulled out a cracking body shot which put McCubbin down, he managed to get up for the count of 9 and saw the round out. McCubbin seemed to have recovered from the body shot from the last round, it was a quiet round but Windle edged it. Great seventh round with some great exchanges, Windle controlled the round with McCubbin coming back at the end but too late to win it. Brave, brave attempt in the eighth round by McCubbin who kept up a high tempo but it was Windle who was in control and getting the eye-catching shots off.
The ninth was McCubbin’s best round so far as he put his shots together and seemed to hurt Windle a few times. McCubbin spurred on from the success from the ninth came out with intent in the tenth round banging in big shots. Windle then returned fire with great shots with Windle just edging the round. Both fighters went toe to toe in the eleventh with both boxers banging in great shots with Windle edging it. Windle came out in the final round fast as he let his hands go. McCubbin fought back hard and showed loads of heart as Windle finished the stronger.
The judges had it unanimous with John Latham having it 114 to 113, Darren Sarginson having it 117 to 110, and Bob Williams scoring itb116 to 111 all in favor of Windle. I had it 118 to 112 Windle.
Dexter’s Thought’s
What a fantastic fight and what a great win for Matt Windle. I was lucky enough to see Windle train for most of this camp at Cogans Corner and knew he would come out of this Victorious. His trainer Spencer McCracken senor really got him ready for this fight and it was just a shame it was not actually for the Commonwealth title. Windle should now be the champ and would have been entered into the Bbcolumn Hall of Fame but will now have to wait until he gets his title fight. This was a great contest and will be up there for the fight of the year without a doubt. I look forward to seeing Windle fight for the Commonwealth Flyweight title.