Friday the 13th MTK/TOPromotions 13/4/18
MTK Birmingham in association with TOPromotions held a joint show at the Holiday Inn Soilhull. The show was called “Friday the 13th” and consisted of 4 bouts of boxing with three of the fights being over four times three minute rounds and the main event being over 8 times three minute rounds. Starting the show you had the talented Aaron Lovell from Erdington followed by MTK’s Middleweight Anthony Manning and new to the column Mitch Redmond fighting at Cruiserweight. The main event was a 8 round British Challenge belt title fight between Bbcolumn’s boxer to watch who is unbeaten as a pro James Beech Jr taking on also unbeaten Paul Gidney. With a great atmosphere and a buzz in the air the stage was set for a great night of boxing.
Fight 1 Aaron Lovell v Dylan Draper 10.8. 4x3. 10.6. Super welterweight
From the first bell Lovell dominated the round with great shot selection, movement and flashy combinations. In the second round Lovell just did what he liked putting in fast combinations and picking his shots well, all Draper could do is cover up.
The third round saw Draper who was a bloody mess have to cover up and go into survival mode as Lovell smashed in combination after combination. Round four saw Lovell continue the master class with Draper just looking to see the final bell.
Result Dexter – 40-36 Ref – 49-36
Lovell wins on points
Fight 2 Anthony Manning v Duane Green 11.4. 4x3. 11.3 Middleweight
Steady start by both fighters in the first round, Manning took control in the later part of the round to win it. Manning started the second round well taking the fight to Green, Green asked some questions in the later part of the round to even it up.
In the third Green continued to put pressure on Manning who's work rate had seemed to dip, Green caught him with some nice shots to win this round. Greens confidence had grown after the last round as he pressed, pressured and out worked Manning to win the final round.
Result Dexter - 38-39 Ref 39-39
Result A Draw
Fight 3 Mitch Redmond v Richard Harrison 13.2. 4x3. 13.1 Cruiserweight
Both fighters got there shots off well in the first round and it was a nice steady start to the fight, Redmond just edged the round with the cleaner shots. Redmond stepped up the pace in the second round and picked his shots well, Harrison covered up and was always a threat.
Redmond showed again great shot selection in the third, Harrison got some good combinations off of his own but Redmond edged this close round for me. Harrison started the final round brightly flicking out the jab and moving well. Redmond then took over with some heavy combinations that slowed Harrison down. Harrison fought with a lot of heart till the final bell.
Result Dexter – 40-36 Ref 40-37
Redmond wins on points.
Fight 4 James Beech Jr v Paul Gidney
8.10 8x3. 8.5 British Challenge belt featherweight title
Both fighters sized each other up in the first round the two unbeaten fighters both got good shots off for a even round. It seemed Beech was struggling with Gidney's southpaw stance, but halfway through the second round Beech began to get his timing right and caught his opponent with some eye catching hooks to nick the round. In the third Beech started to take control getting some nice combinations off and some very nice right hands. Grdney continued to pressure and press but Beech moved well and got some good shots off to win the round. Beech still seemed to be having trouble with the southpaw style, Gidney kept the pressure on and made Beech go to war.
The fifth round again saw Gidney take Beech into the trenches and have to go to war, Beech got warned by the ref for hitting low, the fighters continued to battle hard, very hard fought round. In the sixth round Beech got back to his boxing and got some cracking shots off showing why he is one of the Bbcolumn’s boxers to watch. Gidney continued to put the pressure on but Beech won this round. Round seven Beech moved well and got some good shots off from range, he was now catching Gidney with some cracking right hands and uppercuts. Gidney continued to press never giving Beech a easy time of it. The final round saw Beech move well and pick his shots as his massive support cheered him on, Gidney, as he had throughout the fight continued to press until the final bell.
Result Dexter – 79-75 Ref - 78-75
Beech wins British Featherweight Challenge belt.
Beech Interview
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great night of boxing, I was very impressed with all the boxers on display tonight. Aaron Lovell dominated his fight from start to finish and hardly got hit, this was a great exhibition in the noble art and I think MTK need to start moving this talented young man up as he was at a much higher level than his opponent. Anthony Manning was given a draw in his match, I had his opponent nicking it by a point but a draw seemed like a fair result. I have saw all three of Manning’s fights and I can see the talent in him. He has got himself a draw in this fight and I hope he can build on it and learn not to switch off in fights as I can see a bright future for him if he can.
This was the first time I have seen Mitch Redmond fight and I got to say it was a very entertaining fight, his opponent came to win and pushed him all the way and I will be looking forward to seeing him fight again soon.
Now as for the main event, what a performances, what a fight, full credit goes to Paul Gidney who came with a unbeaten record of 3 and 0 and gave James Beech Jr a hell of a fight. Beech after he had got his head around the southpaw style of Gidney boxed well under a lot of pressure from his opponent and his massive support that had came to see him. There were points in the fight where Beech had to dig deep and go to war which he did without hesitation, he ended up winning the fight quite clearly and definitely earn his first title. I have talked about how good this 20 year old is from the very start when he debuted at Tudor Grange Soilhull last year and have said from that night he is one to watch. After the show I talked to James about what his plans are he mentioned having a rest then going for the Midlands area title around September, Beech is moving up the ladder quick and if he continues this momentum I can see the Midlands having another British or Commonwealth champion by 2019.
The Birmingham Boxing Column would like to thank MTK Birmingham and TOPromotions for having us at there event and look forward to there next one.