Exchange at the Grange
MTK Promotions
22/4/17
Mac the Knife Promotions held their professional boxing show "Exchange at the Grange" at Tudor Grange Leisure centre Solihull consisting of 5 bouts of professional boxing. The Birmingham Boxing Column was there In the packed out hall to watch and report on some of the newest boxing talent around.
Fight 1
Super Middleweight
4x3
Jarrett Doherty v Victor Edaghu
The first round was quite even as both fighters sussed each other out, Doherty making his debut won the round by getting the better shots off, but their was not much in it. In the second Doherty took control of the fight and got some cracking shots off, the third was another good round with Edaghu stepping up the pace but Doherty matched him all the way. Doherty continued his good work rate winning the final round of his debut.
Result
Ref - 40-36
Dexter - 40-37
Doherty wins points
After fight Interview below
Fight 2
Welterweight
4x3
Cornelius Ramaphala v Draper
Ramaphala took control from the start of the fight and showed great shot selection switching his stance from orthodox to southpaw when he liked. The second round saw Ramaphala shine again with some very classy boxing, in the third Ramaphala turned up the pressure and got some cracking shots off. The forth round was another master class by Ramaphala who controlled the ring and won the round with ease.
Result
Ref - 40-36
Dexter - 40-36
Ramaphala wins points
After fight interview below
Fight 3
Heavyweight
8x3
Sean "Big Sexy" Turner v Sokoloeski
Turner started well and dictated the fight, Sokoloeski moved well and kept out of danger, the second was another good round for Turner who again dictated the pace. In the third Sokololeski asked Turner some questions and got some good shots off, Turner continued to control the pace and just edged the round. The forth saw Turner again dictate the pace and seemed to be in banging harder shots, the 5th saw Turner turn up he pace as he banged in some heavy body shots, Sokoloeski took them well and saw the round out. The sixth round saw Sokolowski turn up the pace but Turner matched him and got the better shots off, the seventh was Sokoloski's best round and he caught Turner with some cracking shots. The 8th and final round saw both fighters go for It with Turner getting the better of the final exchange.
Result
Ref - 75 -77 to Sokolowski
Dexter -79 - 74 to Turner
Sokoloski wins points
Fight 4
4x3
Jack O'keeffe v Kristan Laight
The first round saw Laight the veteran with over 250 fights under his belt moved O'Keeffe around the ring and made him work hard in his second fight of his career. In the second with a massive support cheering O'Keeffe on he took control of the fight with a good work rate, the third was the same with O'Keeffe controlling the round, Laight was warned for hitting low in this round. In the forth O'Keeffe powered home to have a clean sweep of winning every round.
Result
Ref 40 - 36
Dexter 40 - 36
O'Keeffe wins on points
After fight interview below
Fight 5
Super Featherweight
4x3
Jamies Beech v Jordan Turner
Full fight below
Beech in his second pro fight and with a massive following cheering him on put on another great display of boxing, winning the fight with ease.
Result
Ref 40 - 37
Dexter 40 - 36
Beech wins on points
Dexter's Thoughts
What a show! Exchange in the Grange had a brilliant line up of young hungry pro fighters on display. Congratulations to Doherty on his first pro win against a very durable opponent, another Eastside star in the making. Another Eastside Pro on show was O'Keeffe who won and continued his winning ways by beating veteran Laight. Beech was very impressive in his second fight and looks like a star in the making with a massive following.
I thought Sean Turner was hard done by in his fight as I had him the clear winner, but it just goes to show the ref can see a fight differently and as a ref I know he has got the best view in the house. The highlight of the night for me was seeing Cornelius Ramaphala in a professional ring, I have known Con since he was 14 and helped in his training when he was an amateur at Bartley Green ABC where he become a Midlands Champion. Con showed great potential then and I always said
he had the making of a great pro with his style of boxing. I am glad that I was right, Con turn pro back in South Africa and then signed with MTK in Manchester. It was great to see him back In Birmingham and hope his promotion company give him more opportunity's to fight down here.
I was very surprised that there was not more media here to report on these up and coming fighters, but I suppose they will only want to report on them when they make a name for themselves. This is what the Column is all about, giving the up and coming fighters the platform to show there talent. The Birmingham boxing column thanks MTK Promotions for having us at the event and I look forward to their next show.
Bbcolumn.com - EST 2016
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