Prizefighter: Sexton upsets Burton to take title
Published September 14, 2008 by Martin Bean
Barry Hearn’s Prizefighter Series continues to go from strength to strength after another superb night of boxing in Newcastle’s Metro Radio Area.
As I settled down to watch the night’s action, suddenly a thought occurred to me—what if this doesn’t live up to the first show—will the format simply fade away? Well, I needn’t have worried.
Unbeaten Chris Burton started as favourite but there were some good contenders in the bill—promising Sam Sexton, dangerous veteran Pele Reid, the dangerous Lee Swaby (who holds a victory over Enzo Maccarinelli), in addition to fighters with Prizefighter experience such as Darren Morgan and hometown hero David Ferguson. All with aspirations on the GBP 25,000 prize!
The night opened with Sexton vs. Reid, which appeared to be an intriguing match, with two boxers at varying ends of the experience scale. It was youth that prevailed; Sexton’s smart boxing and ramrod jab simply too much for Reid. Pele never really got going and always seemed to be looking for that one punch to change it all. Reid’s work rate improved as he entered the third and final round, knowing a KO was his only chance of victory, but he quickly tired and Sexton coasted the last minute to secure a Unanimous Points Decision.
Next up was David Ferguson against Luke Simpkin. Ferguson was clearly the man with more ability but Simpkin was determined and kept marching forward, chin tucked down, having success to both head and body. Ferguson needed to keep his distance, as he wasn’t having any success other than when at long range, but his footwork was not good enough. Towards the end of round two, Ferguson started to tire (from my seat he was visibly taking deep breaths!) and it so continued that way in the third. Simpkin won a split decision, his determined brawling being preferred to the cleaner work of Ferguson. The hometown crowd was certainly disappointed.
The favourite was up next—Chris Burton vs. David Ingleby. These two had met before and the gulf in class was immediately apparent; Burton looked absolutely sensational as he rained in combinations and showed fantastic speed of hand and foot for a Heavyweight. Ingleby was game and did have occasional success but Burton was just too strong and too classy. Ingleby can be proud of his efforts but there was no disgrace in losing a unanimous decision to the impressive Burton.
The last Quarter Final saw Lee Swaby meet Darren Morgan in an even money match. It was a match of different sizes and style, the speed of former Cruiserweight Swaby against the gritty strength of a solid Heavyweight such as Morgan. Morgan was in the fight for the first and was always dangerous due to his superior power, but ultimately, Swaby’s superior boxing and work rate won the day—Swaby took a Unanimous Decision.
This set the semi-finals up fantastically; Sexton vs. Simpkin and Burton vs. Swaby. Sexton and Burton looked favourites but it was felt Swaby might just be able to upset the applecart.
Sexton delivered on his march to the final, employing tactics of smooth boxing (he really has some skills this kid as opposed to many other Heavyweights who simply rely on strength) and Simpkin was totally flummoxed. Against Ferguson, Simpkin has been allowed to march into range but any attempts at that this time simply resulted in his head being jolted back by the spearing jab of Sexton. The pattern was the same for all 3 rounds with Sexton not needing to exert himself—ominous for whoever his opponent would be in the final—with Sexton taking a Unanimous decision.
Chris Burton’s second bout of the night was against another former opponent! Burton and Swaby met in May of this year in a cracker, with Burton winning an 8 round decision. This time over 3 rounds, it was interesting to see what tactics were employed by both men. Burton was a complete contrast to his bout against Ingleby, this time being very cautious and economical with his punches, looking for quality over quantity. Swaby took the centre of the ring and in the first, there was a whiff of an upset in the air, as Swaby edged the close round on my card with his higher work rate. The pattern continued until a minute into the second round a crushing right from Burton sent Swaby to the canvas! Swaby got up and wasn’t badly hurt, but it served encourage Burton to up his work rate and take the session 10-8. The third saw a closer round but the quality work of Burton took the round as he was clearly buoyed by his second round success. Burton was awarded a Unanimous Decision.
This set up the dream final of promising young Heavyweights, Sexton vs. Burton. The atmosphere built steadily as both fighters entered the ring and this writer was salivating at the prospect of an exciting . From the first bell, Sexton appeared the sharper man and perhaps carrying more power too. His excellent jab was giving him an early lead but Burton roared back, using combinations in a similar vein to his first bout of the evening, sparking some fantastic exchanges. The round was close but Sexton took it on my card with his cleaner work. The action continued at the same fast pace in the second, but possibly more furious. The exchanges were just superb—the type you’d rarely see in a longer bout and the whole crowd were on their feet, boxing at it’s best. Sexton’s hand still were a shade sharper than Burton and I had him 20-18 coming out for the last. Burton raced out of his corner, as if he’d read my scorecard and knew he needed the knockout, launching combinations at Sexton. Norwich’s Sexton weathered the storm and as Burton tired, started to get his jab going again, keeping Burton at bay. Suddenly, a huge right from Sexton hurt Burton and down he went. He got up on unsteady legs but with less than a minute to go, as a neutral, I was hoping he’d last to final bell. Alas, it was not to be and Sexton would not be denied—he landed bunches of punches with Burton trapped in the corner and the referee stepped in.
Sexton wheeled away in joy at the prospect of lifting the impressive Prizefighter trophy and the GBP 25,000 cheque!
All in all it was a fantastic night’s boxing. This series is here to stay in my opinion and I think the action at the lighter weights could be even more exciting.
Congratulations to all involved—I will certainly be buying a Prizefighter season ticket!
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