Parker and Langford win while Walsh/Lowe ends with a draw
In our opening bout of the night Derbyshire’sZack Parkermade light work ofAdasat Rodriguez, stopping him in two rounds. The opening round saw Parker start well boxing behind the jab, but Rodriguez appeared to be a live body, catching Parker with counter shots. Parker probably edged the first round for me. The fight didn’t have a chance to get going as Parker worked the jab well and set up a big left hand which stunned the Spaniard, two further shots followed which put Rodriguez down for the first time. Parker jumped on his opponent landing a hard left hook, knocking out the gumshield, three hard rights followed by another left put Rodriguez down again, this time the referee seeing enough. Parker impressed me, he’s got a good jab with evident power. His footwork getting him off the ropes and out of trouble well. With the British Super Middleweight title vacant, a fight for the belt next could well be on the cards after a performance like that.
The British Middleweight title clash proved to be everything that I have said it will be.Tommy Langfordretained his title overJack Arnfieldwith a unanimous decision. The judges returning scores of 116-113 twice and 117-113. It was a very close fought contest. Both men using the jab terrifically well In a fight for the thinkers. Langford was certainly the busier of the two men, but Arnfield used a spearing left jab to control the distance. Both men switched from head to body beautifully. Eventually the judges rewarding the activity of the champion. I actually scored the fight a draw 114-114, a testament perhaps to how close the rounds were. Langford was performing in the maiden defence of his British title. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to attempt to claim the Lonsdale belt outright, or whether he will try and work his way back to a world title mandatory position.
The British Super Featherweight Title was a very busy fight. The Judges returning the verdict of a draw betweenRyan WalshandIsaac Lowe(116-114 Walsh, 115-115 Lowe, 115-115 even. The challenger certainly starting the fight better. His level of activity and movement causing the champion all kinds of problems. However, Walsh found a way back into the fight in the latter rounds, landing the harder and more telling shots of the two. The champion certainly won the championship rounds as Lowe began to fatigue. This marks the third draw of Isaac Lowe’s career. I fully expect to see a rematch, although I feel that Lowe can consider himself unlucky to come away without the Lonsdale belt as I scored the fight 115-113 in the challengers favour
Also on the card,Luther ‘Black Panther’ Clay won a unanimous decision in what was an all action six round welterweight contest, that left both men noses bloodied. The eye caching work and higher ring IQ prevailing over the come forward all action style of Craven.
By: Aaron Cooper
