The best laid plans o’ men and mice by Tom Walker Oct 22nd 2006

Robert Burns once wrote the above to show the vagaries of planning in advance, so who would be a promoter, when your best laid plans are laid to waste on the evening ? Alex and Katherine Morrison certainly know how to organise a fine evening of boxing in plush surroundings with good food and last night was another of their long list of well organised functions. It was however, dealt a blow which would have laid low a lesser team with the top of the bill being cancelled at short notice. Greenock's John Simpson was scheduled to meet Rakhim Mingaleev in a featherweight match in preparation for his forthcoming attempt to win the Lonsdale belt in a rematch with Andy Morris. That however, went by the wayside with its cancellation, and as if that weren't enough, the bout between Chris Black and Jason Samuels of Cardiff became an “Exhibition” when the weight difference exceeded acceptability. The patrons were treated to an excellent meal and the musings of well known comedian Clem Daine prior to the programme which opened with; Marco Cittadini 10st 1.5lbs vs Mark Brett 10st 2lbs Ref P Graham 6 x 2mins There was no “feeling” their way into the bout for these two locals as the bout went off in overdrive. With the opener going the way of Cittadini as Brett looked uncomfortable with the pace and range of Cittadini's shots. Cittadini was guilty though of holding blindside of the referee and frankly from using his head in more ways than that of thinking. This bout is raw but what it lacks in silk is made up for with effort, with Brett beginning to gain the ascendancy in the 2nd with accurate hooks and uppercuts. Cittadini is in danger of running his tank empty with the pace and gets a private warning from Paul Graham for his persistent use of his head in the 4th round which is finished with Brett rattling his (Cittadini's) head with a peach of a left hook. The referee is having his work cut out as both of the boxers get another private talking to in the penultimate round, this time for verbalism from Brett and a kidney punch from Cittadini. Both boxers were beginning to feel the pace as they entered the final straight but for me Brett was looking more comfortable from the first round onwards and deservedly gets the nod on a 59 – 55 points score. Cittadini obviously disagrees in no uncertain terms as he doesn't even wait to have Brett' win acknowledged, scurrying out of the arena before M.C. Mike Goodall could announce the result. Paddy Pollock 10st 11.5lbs vs Tyrone McInerney 10st 8lbs Ref K Pringle 6 x 2mins There's a significant height difference between the two with the advantage to Pollock who opens the bout with crisp work which McInerney is quick to acknowledge. The Yorkshireman is telegraphing his shots somewhat, but they are delivered with speed and the bout is good to watch. In the 3rd round Pollock is surprised with three straight rights to his head and they have force behind them, which is registered on his expression. Pollock is giving as good as he gets, with less force though than the heavy handed McInerney. As the bout progresses McInerney has the scent of blood in his nostrils, but Pollock is tidy in his work defending the attacks. He (Pollock) is being dragged into the trenches by the industrious McInerney style of hustling the taller man. Pollock is a very sore and tired young man by the end of the bout which is declared a draw (58 – 58) by the referee, a result which I think a tad unfair on the Huddersfield man as he came close to stopping Pollock with some very heavy handed shots, who presumably has a chin of stone. Gary Thomson 14st 7lbs vs Paul David 13st 11lbs Ref Paul Graham 6 x 2mins David comes out in the manner of all boxers under the tutelage of the Brendan Ingle School of boxing with his hands held low and movement to match, which the more orthodox Thompson is finding difficult to pin down. David is scoring with stinging body shots to the midriff of the “Tomkat”. This was a scrappy affair with the clash of styles exacerbating it; Thomson sustained a cut to his left eye in the 3rd which Davis naturally went straight for with slashing hooks in the 4th salvo. They're becoming the “chattering classes” in this round with their own words to each other surprisingly aggressive in tone. The action is stop start with much posturing from David which is annoying the knowledgeable audience, as despite what he thinks, Chris Eubank he isn't! Davis rightly gets the nod on a 59 – 55 decision, but won't have won too many fans up here with his poseur attitude and antics. Chris Black vs Jason Samuels Ref Kenny Pringle 4 x 2mins “Exhibitions” are difficult to carry out and this is no exception, since they had been scheduled to do battle in a proper fight until the vexed question of weight differential raised its ugly head. The switch hitting Samuels was constantly harried by the crouched style of Black in this glorified work-out which produced more sweat than toil. Having said that the Cardiff man will have pleased his new promoter with his style and movement, and just having signed with Alex, he'll be an interesting addition to the Morrison stable when he does it for real. The charity of the evening was the “Autistic Society” and their funds were swelled by the generosity of sponsors especially the Singh family of Glasgow. Its little wonder Alex has grey hair though with the last minute changes to his well organised show, Katherine fortunately being blonde won't have this problem.

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