The Birmingham Boxing Column attended Tommy Owens Promotions latest show ‘Rebel Without a Cause' at the Holte Suite Villa park (9,11,19). The show consisted of 5 bouts of boxing with two 4 rounder’s, two 6 rounder’s and a main event contested over 10 rounds for the English Lightweight title. In the home corner you had the unbeaten George Farrell from Derby and debutant Mathew ‘Swiggy' Craddock both doing 4 rounder’s. You also had two unbeaten fighters Tom Silcox and Ryan Hatton both fighting over six rounds. In the main event you had in the home corner Kane Baker taking on the very talented champion Myron Mills. Comparing on the night you had David Nikolich with Shaun Meeser reffing and A-star ref John Latham refing the main event. The ring girls on the night where the stunning Taya and Louise from C.P. Agency.
Fight 1 Ryan Hatton v Elvis Dube 13.2 6x3 13.7 Cruiserweight
Steady start by Hatton as he dominated the first round with nice combinations and great shot picking. The second round was again controlled by Hatton with some cracking uppercuts and combinations. The third was another round dominated by Hatton, he picked his shots well with some heavy combinations.
Great shot picking in the forth by Hatton who was just doing what he liked banging in some nice combinations. In the fifth Hatton continued to bang in good combinations as Dube just looked like he wanted to see the final bell. Hatton finished the final round in dominate style smashing in shots and combinations at will. Dubes was just happy to see the final bell.
Result Dexter - 60-54 Ref - 60-54 Hatton wins on points
Fight 2 George Farrell v Darryl Sharp 12.1 4x3 12.1 Light Heavyweight
Scrappy first round with lots of holding, ref Shaun Messer warned Sharp about using his head, Farrell edged it with the better boxing. Fast start to the second as Sharp and Farrell let there hands go, as it settled down Farrell started to take over winning the round. The third was another scrappy round with Sharp getting some good shots off but Farrell had the best of it with some good combinations. The final round saw both fighters have there moments, but you had to say Farrell controlled the round with the better shots to win the round and the fight.
Result Dexter - 40-36 Ref - 40-36 Farrell wins on points
Fight 3 Matt ‘Swiggy' Craddock v Jake Pollard 8,10 4x3 9 Super Featherweight
Cracking start to the first round with both fighters firing out shots, Pollard could not miss with the right hand catching Craddock with some big shots. Craddock known as Swiggy took them well and got some nice combinations off of his own, close round Pollard nicked it. The fight settled down in the second and Craddock got off some nice shots off, he was still getting caught with some big right hands but did enough to win the round. Craddock took control in the third and got so nice combinations off, Pollard was still game and making a fight of it catching Craddock with right hands but it was Swiggy’s round. Pollard came out swinging looking for a big shot, Craddock stayed composed slipping shots and got some nice combinations off to win the round and his debut.
Result Dexter - 39-37 Ref - 39-37 Craddock wins on points
Fight 4 Tom Silcox v Qasim Hussain 10.7 6x3 10.9 Super Welterweight
Silcox controlled the first round from start to finish banging in good shots with some nice combinations. In the second everything came off Silcox's jabs he worked Hussain's head and body with great combinations. Hussain had no answer to Silcox's combinations in the third, ‘The Silk' used him as a punch bag for the whole round.
In the forth Silcox was in full control as he dominated the round and the fight, Hussain could only cover up. In the fifth Silcox again smashed in combination after combination going from head to body as Hussain covered up and took everything Silcox gave him. In the final round Silcox continued the beat down with combinations and heavy shots looking for a stoppage, Hussain looked dead on his feet but some how managed to see the final bell.
Result Dexter - 60-54 Ref - 60-54 Silcox wins on points
Fight 5 Main Event English Lightweight title Kane Baker v Myron Mills 9.8 10x3 9.8
Both fighters felt each other out with both looked up for a good fight, it was a fairly even round with Mills finishing with a eye catching combinations. The second was another close fought round with Baker getting some good shots off, Mills was showing great movement and skill getting some good shots off to edge the round. Baker got some good combinations off at the start at the third, Mills continued to boxes well using his jab and getting some nice combinations off with some nice right hands again just edging the round.
In the forth Baker really pressed and caught Mills with some nice combinations, Mills countered well but Baker edged it. Baker was trying to Battle his way back into the fight in the fifth working hard and getting some good shots off, Mills countered well and had great accuracy with some eye catching shots. Round six Baker was showing the heart of a true warrior as he gave it his all, Mills was now getting some cracking combinations off but Baker continued to press and get some good shots off. Mills used his jab well in the seventh with Baker continued to press and pressure, Baker backed him up with some nice combinations but Mills countered well but Baker edged the round.
In the eighth Baker continued to show so much heart as he pressured and pressed Mills all the way, Mills jab and shot picking won him the round. The ninth was a hard, hard round for Baker as Mills started to turn it up, Baker again showed loads of heart battling back but took some heavy shots. Baker tried to turn the final round into a tare up with Mills boxing well on the back foot, Baker did not stop coming forward until the final bell.
Result Dexter – 93 – 98 Judges Terry O’Connor- 95-95 Shaun Messer – 94 – 97 Robert Williams – 92 – 98
Mills win Majority decision.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Cracking night of boxing with a cracking main event, it was a great fight where it was skill against will with skill coming out the winner.
Kane Baker showed the heart of a lion in front of a massive support for the Brummie boxer, he made Mills work for every minute of every round and showed he was at this level. Mills showed why they call him ‘skills' with some great shot picking and accuracy he was a worthy winner and as much I wanted Kane to win this was Mills fight. Baker can take a lot from this fight as he proved what a warrior he is. He had a lot of support at the show and did not let anyone down, he has now added another great story to his boxing journey and after a very long camp for this fight he should take some time for himself and his partner Coral to enjoy life. I look forward to seeing Kane back in the ring some time next year.
Tom Silcox absolutely dominated his opponent in his six round fight, you had to give Hussain credit for lasting the 6 rounds. Silcox used Hussain as a moving punch bag and I really feel he needs a proper test. I think TOP Boxing should put ‘The Silk' in one of there 50/50 fights against someone like Nathan Bendon, I think this would be an interesting one.
It was the first time I had saw George Farrell fight and he looks a decent prospect, he was given a hard fight against Sharp but managed to win it convincingly.
Matt ‘Swiggy' Craddock had a cracking fight for his debut, he got caught with a few big right hands he took them well and came back with some great combinations. He showed great composure and determination and it will be interesting to see how he fairs in his next contest and if he learns from this fight.
Ryan Hatton dominated his six rounder and displayed a great range of shot picking. He smashed Dubes all over the ring and you had to give him credit for lasting the 6 rounds. Hatton is another fighter who looks ready for the next level and maybe should be having a 50/50 fight.
The Birmingham Boxing Column thanks TOP Boxing for having them at the show