REVIEW: GWYNNE ON FORM, AFTER EIGHT MONTHS OUT
After eight months out of the ring due to injury Gavin Gwynne (11-0) the Welsh lightweight champion made a return to the rind to a rapturous home crowd against Arnoldo Solano (14-21).
Gwynne clearly eager to fight and impress his home town fans entered the ring looking fired up.
The first round Gwynne looked to be forcing his work, and in round two there were some wild swings from Solano as the Nicaraguan began to frustrate Gwynne holding constantly. In round three the frustration showed as Gwynne beckoned Solano to stand and trade rather than disrupt every time Gwynne tried to box.
In the fourth round Gwynne went back to his jab and was landing some quality body shots. Solano was dropped in the fourth, intentionally spitting his gum shield out prompting the referee to insist as it was an intentional act from Solano the gum shield would be returned in the next pause in the fight. Solano landed a low blow in the fifth round, prompting an angry response from both Gwynne and his supporters who were now fed up of Solanos spoiling tactics.
Gwynnes fans hearts were in their mouth in the sixth when after another wrestle instigated by Solona Gwynne raised his foot towards his opponent after he tumbled, summoned to a neutral corner to the relief of the home crowd it was only a one point deduction. After pleas from his corner Gwynne went back to boxing well snapping the jab and going to the body in round seven.
Round eight with Salono shattered continued the trend of the fight with Solano just looking to hold rather than fight, Solano was deducted a point for his third low blow of the contest whilst Gwynne was also docked a point for punching at the break. The scorecard read 78-71 in favour of Gwynne. If nothing, it was good experience gained for Gwynne, and you can sympathise with Gwynne who after eight months out wanted to give his home town fans treat. The important thing is the W on the record.
Jake Tinklin (3-0) gave a classy performance against Fonz Alexander (6-98) winning a 60-54 decision.
The difference class in was evident to see from the opening bell. Tinklin's superior boxing skills creating openings for him to land some spiteful shots. The second round followed the same path, Tinklin walking his opponent down with his jab waiting for openings then landing some spiteful shots.
Round three Alexander started to try and throw some shots back but this just allowed Tinklin to pick him off, round four Alexander was now looking tired and threw some wild punches, knowing one big punch was his best chance of turning the fight around.
Round five saw Alexander bravely take some hurtful looking body shots and hooks. By the sixth, Tinklin knowing the fight was won, stayed behind the jab showing experience beyond his years not to get do anything silly and get caught. A fantastic performance and definitely and exciting prospect!
Kristian Touze (8-0-2) outboxed Edwin Tellez (12-51-5) to set up an all Welsh clash with Angelo Dragone.
The first round was a cagey affair with Touze taking a look at his opponent, but winning the round landing some good left hooks. In the second, Touze feeling more confident after the opening round was working well behind his jab then landing some quality combinations with Tellez only able to come back with wild swings.
In the third Touze was caught by a wild right hand which clearly momentarily shook him , Touze was now on the back foot, throwing shots but only hitting gloves and arms. Tellez had turned this in to a scrappy fight which suited the Niguracian. Round four and Touze went back behind his jab keeping his opponent away, a quitter round than the third. The fifth was back to a scrappy affair, Touze wisely boxed well on the sixth taking no risks to win the fight 59-57 on the referees scorecards.
Angelo Dragone (5-0) did his part to keep alive the exciting clash with Kristian Touze beating debutant Ilias Liokaftos (0-1) 60-54
Dragone was on the front foot from the start hunting his opponent down with a tight guard marking the face of Liokaftos by the end of round two. Dragone starting the third on the front foot again with his opponent backing off and keeping a tight guard and making it a scrappy round. Liokaftos continued to hold in rounds four and five prompting the referee to warn him.
The sixth and final Liokaftos made a fast start landing his best shots of the fight, however, after a short spell Dragone was back in control and comfortably took the fight winning all six rounds for a 60-54 decision.
Robbie Vernon (3-0) scored a third round stoppage over Daniel Alder (0-1)
The opening round was a cagey affair with both fighters feeling out their opponents but Vernon had most success behind the jab. The fight had gathered pace in the second with Alder catching Vernon with a left visibly shaking the Bridgend man.
A big right in the third from Vernon floored Alder who despite beating the count wobbled back to his corner with his back to referee Reece Carter who rightly called a halt to the fight with little complaints from the Alder Corner. Vernons fans celebrated and exciting performance.
Jake Anthony(6-0) won a decision against Nathan Junor (0-2) winning 39-37
Anthony had a tough test against Junor. Anthony throughout the fight was clearly getting frustrated and was rushing in wasting shots. By the time the fourth and final round had come around, Anthony had composed himself, and had his best round of the fight to seal the decision.
Lloyd Germain (1-0) got his professional career off to a great start with a 39-37 win over Danny Little (8-58-2)
Germain started the bout throwing sharp jabs pushing his opponent and mixing it up with head and body shots , Germain continued his precise boxing in the second using his jab beautifully again to create openings to Littles body.
Little was more active in the third round connecting with some rights though Germain used his footwork so his opponent could connect with any solid shots. Again the fourth round Germain looking far more experienced than a debutant didn’t allow himself to get dragged in to a brawl keeping to his jab and timing his shots beautifully crusied to an impressive debut win.
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