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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER IN CARDIFF

By Aky Karim, Real Combat Media UK Boxing Correspondent

THE TALE OF FLANAGAN V CRUZ:

Cardiff, Wales (27th of November, 2016)– In this eagerly anticipated return to the ring for Terry Flanagan, many were disappointed not to see a unification bout of some description, however team Flanagan remained upbeat and philosophical in the build up to the event.

Orlando Cruz is no mug, a fighter that loves to exchange and throws serious leather, Steve Maylett was only too aware going into this fight that there was no room for error in if Terry is to fulfill his dream of being in the mega bouts next year. Cruz going into this fight had only really lost to elite and credible opposition and despite the distinct height and reach disadvantage, looked confident and lean going into this big clash in Cardiff.

Last time out Terry Flanagan defended his title against Fana in a dominant performance but one which left him and his trainer frustrated. Flanagan is a superbly fit athlete and the mood of the camp in the last few weeks has been determined and focused. Attempts by the media to draw Terry into a debate about his opponent’s sexuality have been expertly handled with class and have not phased him. Preparations have been meticulous and top sparring with likable Liverpudlian Tom Stalker have helped Terry Prepare for his southpaw opponent.

THE FIGHT:

The fight was in most part a showcase of the class of Terry Flanagan. He looked dominant from the get go, towering over his smaller opponent, Terry boxed smart in the initial rounds, put his punches together and focused on ring positioning and not giving ground. Rounds 4-6 saw Flanagan stepping in with his feet and landing hurtful shots to body and head. Cruze was flustered, complaining to the referee on several occasions, straining under the constant thudding shots coming his way. The champion eventually caught up with Cruze in the 8th round, volume punches in bunches and essentially broke the will of the challenger. Terry Flanagan now looks to the big unification bouts ahead, a possible move to the 140-pound division and a well-deserved rest. Flanagan KO round 8

THE TALE OF LANGFORD V SHEEDY:

Likeable Brummie Tommy Langford we the latest victim of the enigma that is team Eubank. Eubank Jr. pulled out of their fight due to tennis elbow amidst various speculation, resulting in stand in opponent Sam Sheedy. Sheedy the Sheffield fighter is no slouch with only one defeat in 18 bouts, but does not bring with him the domestic hype that Langford could have expected with the hot shot from Brighton. Sheedy and Langford on paper at least seem to be evenly matched with the styles to gel for an entertaining encounter. Last time out Langford looked an improved fighter against Timo Laine, less easy to hit, a more balanced fighter with good transition between body and head, it will be interesting to see how he deals with Sheedy in this domestic title clash.

THE FIGHT:

The fight itself lived up to the hype. The early rounds saw Langford assert his rugged style upon Sheedy with great success. After weathering an early storm Sheedy came back with flashy one punch counters and a lot of flamboyant antics, trying to lure Langford off his game. The fight had a great flow and as a spectacle was grueling and exciting to watch. Langford took the split decision but for my money he won with a few rounds to spare. Langford via split decision.

Liam Williams v Gabor Gorbics

Liam Williams certainly has the following that fighters dream of. The big Cardiff crowd was rocking at the very sight of their man, a robustly built junior middleweight with power and heart to burn. His late replacement, a game Hungarian fighter was not phased by the baying mob and showboated during pre-fight rituals.

The early exchanges were feisty and fan friendly, neither fighter wishing to take a backward step. The power Williams possesses is evident, every shot ringing round the arena. Williams is an old-school fighter; his skills are evident but he’d rather sit down on his shots and go toe to toe. Eventually Williams just had too much for the rugged and game Hungarian, the bout coming to a close in the 8th round after a hurtful barrage of punches from Williams.

EVANS v STALKER III

An eagerly awaited straightener between two fit but battle hardened fighters. Until now judges have found it hard to split the pair with two contested draws previously. The partisan home crowd roared their man into the ring, Stalker must have felt a million miles away from home as he entered the arena to do battle.

The fight was intense from the get go. Stalker opened brightly, boxing smart and picking clean straight left hands down the pipe. Both fighters seemed hungry, determined, ready to unleash. Unleash they did, the middle rounds were dramatic and absorbing with both fighters trading powerful back hand shots. Serious leather was a thrown in an ebb and flow battle. Down the stretch, Evans came into his own, finding a second wind and at times out fighting Stalker. Evans looked energized by the Welsh crowd and came back again and again with blistering combinations and hurtful body punches. A tough and grueling battle ended with an embrace, a genuinely entertaining fight.

Evens took the decision via a majority decision however for my money he looked to have won the fight handily. A great and intense domestic tear up, a fourth fight anybody?

FULL FIGHT CARD RESULTS:

Thomas Stalker L MD 10/10 Craig Evans
Alex Hughes W PTS 8/8 Harry Matthews
Liam Williams W TCO 8/10 Gabor Gorbics
Jay Harris W RTD 4/6 Phil Smith
Tommy Langford W SD 12/12 Sam Sheedy
Terry Flanagan W TCO 8/12 Orlando Cruz
Nathan Gorman W RTD 3/6 Igor Mihaljevic
Reuben Arrowsmith W PTS 6/6 Ivica Gogosevic
Jason Sillett L PTS 4/4 Henry Janes
Kid Galahad W TCO 3/8 Reynaldo Mora


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