Catweazle’s Clowning or a Camp Comedian by Tom Walker Oct 28th 2006

I doubt if Ben “Catweazle” Hudson of Cambridge has topped the bill in his other bouts, so why did he go to such lengths to upstage “Patrice” an Aberdonian outrageous and very camp comedian, as a comedy act on the bill at the Beach Ballroom on the 28th of October? Patrice is paid to be a comedian; Ben Hudson on the other hand is paid to be a boxer. He obviously forgot the difference with the rarefied atmosphere of the top of the card. He had an opportunity to show what he has to offer with an electric atmosphere, dry ice, flashing lights and loud music and a local and partisan crowd with his bout against the “Aberdeen Assassin” Lee McAllister. Instead of which he chose to perform as though he were the comedy act in the proceedings. In doing so he brought the top of the bill down to some form of pantomime with the local boy suffering the indignity of being a party to it. Lee McAllister 10st 11lbs vs Ben Hudson 10st 12lbs 8 x 2mins Ref Paul Graham. McAllister is hard to hit with his “Will of the Wisp” style, yet he is scoring in a reserved pace against the stuffy style of the Cambridge man, which seems to be designed to nullify any work which his opponent offers. The perceived weight difference of 1lb is a misnomer as McAllister is so much quicker than Hudson and indeed looks slimmer by some way. Hudson is wont to faking injury to tempt his opponents into his reach, but McAllister with 23 bouts and 22 wins is no mug so the whole exercise is futile and frankly unbecoming of the sport. Hudson's lunging is disrupting any flow which may have been emanating from McAllister's better work and his “Peek a Boo” style of hiding behind his gloves isn't giving the local lad any target other than the body. Hudson is wild and unpredictable if nothing else and I suspect that McAllister is showing him too much respect as his speed should be too much for the Cambridge man. By the 5th round McAllister's boxing has been taken down to the lowest common denominator that of Hudson, and he (Hudson) is certainly not intent in raising it. Hudson's plan presumably was to nullify McAllister's work by spoiling tactics, and if nothing else, he's stuck to it rigidly. Only in the last round was there anything like the scoring from McAllister that we've come to expect from him, as his hand speed was too much for the tiring Hudson. Referee Paul Graham won't have had an easier scoring sheet to fill out as the result was a breeze for the “Aberdeen Assassin” at 80 – 72 on points. The result is another win for McAllister taking him to 23 out of 24, but knowing him as a competitor, he won't have been pleased to have had such a lacklustre opponent in this bout in front of his adoring fans. As for Ben “Catweazle” Hudson, he'd do himself more credit if he boxed as he can do, instead of trying to upstage Patrice in the laughter stakes. Tyan Booth 11st 9lbs vs Chris Black 11st 6lbs 6 x 2mins Referee Paul Graham Booth has the redoubtable Brendan Ingle in his corner and a height and reach advantage over Coatbridge's Black in this show opener. In this setting Black is crouching and chasing Booth whilst unloading his body hooks which look to have some meat behind them. Nonetheless, Booth doesn't seem to be fazed by the weight behind the punches, as his better mobility keeps him for the most part, out of Blacks range. This bout is taking on the mantle of a Picador and a Bull as Black comes forward relentlessly only to be picked off by single shots from Booth, despite Ingle's imploring him (Booth) to use them in threes. Booth does show a lack of respect to his opponent which is unnecessary und unbecoming of any boxer by showboating with some alacrity. Black just can't get his combinations off as Booth is gone after the first one, in the manner of all Brendan Ingle boxers. Booth is peppering Black with shots which if not heavy, are annoying like a midge as opposed to a wasp! Booth won this bout with a score of 59 – 58 and for my money was worth more of a margin, but a win is a win and the records will show just that, and the bout wasn't too bad when all is said and done. James Ancliffe 9st 3lbs vs Jon Baguley 9st 3lbs 6 x 2mins Referee Paul Graham Seeing the very youthful looking Baguley enter the ring, I wondered if he was old enough to be a professional, yet appearances can be deceptive as this bout went on to prove. Ancliffe on the other hand, was looking tense as he set about trying to stop Baguley with almost every punch he threw. Ancliffe, a product of the Granite City ABC, is a no nonsense fighter and gives 110% in every bout when he could do with conserving some of his energy for the later rounds, now that he's moved beyond the amateur limits. He (Ancliffe) is forcing the pace and has Baguley back-pedalling except when he unleashes two left hooks that were ferocious in their intensity. This bout was raw but lacking nothing in courage and commitment from both boys as the crowd responded to the see-saw nature of the bout. Defence is conspicuous by its absence in both of them, and that gives this bout an edge, as either looks capable of stopping the other at any time during it. The fans love it for its intensity and respond with an increased volume, especially for the local lad whilst being appreciative of the efforts of young Baguley. This bout was a treat for those of us watching it, especially as the two young warriors fought themselves to a standstill throughout. In the end though, Ancliffe got the nod by the narrowest of margins 58 – 57. The question remains though, when Lee McAllister can sell the place out as he does, when will he get the quality of opponent that he, his record and his fans deserve? Brendan Ingle did give a clue after the bout by intimating that a championship bout in the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre could be in the spring of 2007. For the sake of Lee and his fans I sincerely hope so!

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? Nov 2nd 2006, 08:57:49 by vale Quote Catweazle: 'They even (McAllister's) family took me out for the night to see the local sights.' Was that before the fight or after? :) Good on ya for taking it as short notice.   Clowning catweazle Oct 29th 2006, 17:39:01 by catweazle Fair comments on the fight and an interesting take on the proceedings ! Why did you omit to mention the entrance mcallister made ? that was showbiz at its best but hey, bums on seats is what this business is primarily about.Sportsmanship doesnt pay wages, sad fact of life.I don't believe the crowd were dissapointed with the show though ! It took me a long time to get to the dressing room and I didnt receive one negative remark from them either ! They even (McAllister's) family took me out for the night to see the local sights. Ben 'catweazle' Hudson