Kieron Conway Defeats James Metcalf
On October 9 junior middleweight contenders Kieron “Too Class” Conway (16-2-1, 3KOs) and James “Kid Shamrock” Metcalf (21-1, 13KOs) will clash in a domestic showdown. This is a pivotal fight for both men as they’re both coming off losses in their last ring outing.
Conway 25, was on the wrong side of a split decision loss to French contender Souleymane Cissokho in his attempt to win the WBA inter-continental junior middleweight title. Before that, he won four consecutive fights. Before he went on his win streak, he would battle to a draw with Ted Cheeseman. Ironically, it was Cheeseman, who handed Metcalf his first professional defeat in his last fight, stopping him in the eleventh round.
As for Metcalf, he’s looking to put his first loss behind him. While his fight with Cheeseman was entertaining, the result obviously wasn’t what he hoped for. At 33, he knows he can’t afford another setback if he wants to remain relevant and one day gets a world title opportunity.
USING THE ADVANTAGES
Conway came out and immediately used his 2.5-inch height advantage in his favor; pumping the jab and landing the straight right hand. He would step side-to-side and land a left hook as Metcalf kept his head on the centerline. Metcalf starting finding success going to the body and was able to get Conway against the ropes and land a good overhand right.
It was clear that Conway and his team studied the Cheeseman vs Metcalf tapes as “Too Class” continued to maintain distance working forward with the double jab and straight right hand. Moreover, he made “Kid Shamrock” pay for missing with a wild punch by landing the overhand right combined with crisp uppercuts.
Metcalf had moments landing a jab of his own and closing the distance at times. However, he kept getting hit with left and rights hooks while moving straight back with his head on the centerline.
IT STARTING GETTING UGLY
Conway may not have knockout one-punch power, although, he had enough pop to cause swelling under the right eye of his opponent by the middle rounds. Metcalf starting to come on strong, getting on the inside and landing uppercuts and right handed power shots. The aggressiveness of “Kid Shamrock” was paying off as he was able to bully Conway against the ropes landing more uppercuts and hooks
The final round was fought inside of a phone booth. Conway was landing the right uppercut to the body and the head, trying to smoother the work of his opponent. Metcalf was throwing hard shots to the body and returned fire whenever he was hit with the left hook. They left it all in the ring!
The late start by Metcalf worked against him as one judge scored it 96-94, and two had it 96-95, all in favor of Conway. 3kingsboxing agrees with the first scorecard.
Conway now has one back in the win column. He will move forward seeking another opportunity to build his name in the World rankings. Metcalf is in a tough spot as the window of opportunity is getting smaller at this point in his career.
By: Garrisson Bland
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