Burkinshaw new English Champ but Robinson gains credit in defeat
Published April 25, 2009 by Martin Bean
Frank Maloney’s St. Georges Sporting Club Launch got off to a great start last night with a good crowd and excellent entertainment throughout the night. Diners were treated to an excellent meal, they had the opportunity to be photographed with great English icons such as the FA Cup, guest speaker Terry Marsh, singing of patriotic songs from the female ‘singing soldier’ and last but not least, 4 good bouts of boxing.
The only grumble I heard through this thoroughly enjoyable night was from the general spectators, who weren’t granted access to their seats until 9:45pm and had to wait another hour before the boxing actually got underway; perhaps for future shows they could look at starting the meals earlier! This led to a late finish, with the final punch being thrown well beyond 12.30am. The late finish meant many seats were empty prior to the main even coming on, with several dinner tables being completely vacated.
Anyway, enough of the negatives, let’s focus on the boxing on what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. First up was Ronnie Davies trained Brighton boxer, Alex Dliagahmi, taking on the always game Baz Carey. Alex looked the smaller fighter and Carey tried to impose himself early by utilizing his body strength and even making some use of his head in close. Unfazed, Alex stuck to his task and boxed his way to a 40-36 victory. However, despite the score line, Alex could have made this a much easier contest—his jab was nonexistent for most of the 4 rounds, allowing Carey to march in and swing wild right hands as he pleased. Alex, also got caught on the ropes too often—Carey was clearly the better man on the inside so Alex should never have been anywhere near the ropes. Despite all of that, Alex is a good, text book style southpaw boxer and certainly has potential, I’ll be keeping my eye on his progress with interest—perhaps Ronnie Davies can turn out another champion.
Next up was Tom Dallas, the latest of Maloney’s heavyweight hopes. Standing 6’4” and weighting 16st 4lbs, Dallas cut an impressive figure. His opponent, Slavomir Selicky, cut a smaller squat figure and once the bell rang, it was clear he lacked the seasoned approach of Dallas, a former ABA Champion. Dallas opened up with jabs to keep his opponent at bay, before a crunching right hook hurt Selicky, who hit the canvas and would never recover. It ended as a contest there and then, with Dallas following up before the referee called a halt to the bout with just 1 minute 18 seconds having elapsed.
Popular South Londoner Gary ‘Hot Stuff’ Woolcombe fought rugged journeyman Vladimir Borovski over six rounds at light middleweight. A former British Champion, Woolcombe was expected to canter to a comfortable victory. What ensued, was rather painful to watch—Woolcombe was out of sorts from the off, easy to hit and whilst he’s never been known as a big puncher, he really seemed to have no power or strength whatsoever in his punches. Then he started taking silly, eye catching and solid shots from Borovski. Three rounds in and we were watching a tight contest—Woolcombe landing quantity, Borovski landing the quality. Woolcombe managed to up his work rate over the final three rounds to win a decision but he never looked comfortable at any stage. The 60-57 score seemed generous to me, 58-57 may have been more accurate. Its possible Woolcombe just hasn’t recovered from his grueling defeat to Ryan Rhodes last year but also, he may have simply had an off night. I’ll reserve my judgment for now but will be watching this likeable character closely in his next contest.
The main event saw soldier Ross Burkinshaw taking on Mike Robinson for the vacant English Super Flyweight Title—a perfect finale for the inaugural St. Georges Sporting Club show. These two had fought a draw when meeting previously so it looked set to be a cracker; it didn’t disappoint. For six rounds it was a fast paced, all action contest. The long, accurate arms of Burkinshaw against the smaller Robinson who unleashed sharp hooks on the inside. It was a contest that went one way and then the other; anytime Robinson seemed to get on top Burkinshaw would fire back and leave Robinson all at sea and vice versa. The crowd, weary at the late start of the boxing, suddenly sprang into life, reveling in this good old fashioned domestic scrap.
Opening the seventh Robinson came out strong, as he had done in many of the rounds, but he couldn’t sustain his attack. Burkinshaw landed some solid shots in response, none of which appeared to be too spectacular; but they were certainly effective. Immediately, you could see Robinson wilting and after a further body shot he took a knee, looking in excruciating pain. Rising at the count of nine, Robinson gallantly (although perhaps unwisely) decided to take the fight to his opponent rather than to try and survive, something he paid the price for when taking a knee for a second time shortly afterwards. Again he rose at nine, keen to get back in the fight; but his dreams were short lived, a cracking right hand from Burkinshaw saw the referee stop the contest.
So all in all, a great night’s boxing and congratulations to Ross Burkinshaw and Tom Dallas in victory, with a particular commendation going to Mike Robinson in defeat, this young man can certainly come again.
My sympathies go out to Light Heavyweight Paul Edwards. Paul was scheduled to box on this bill in what would have been his professional debut but sadly, paperwork problems with medical papers left him unable to box. With many of boxing’s luminary figures in attendance, it was the perfect audience to stand out on a debut. But, Edwards chance will come again and Maloney has made a generous gesture to all of the fans who purchased tickets off Mr. Edwards—50% off your ticket when Edwards finally does make his debut.
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