Elcock wins battle of Birmingham by Tom Podmore Dec 2nd 2006

Birmingham's Wayne Elcock became English middleweight champion last night (1st December) with a hard-fought eighth round stoppage over an extremely game Steve Bendall. It was an exciting, fast and furious and hard fought bill-topper at a sold out Aston Events Centre. Elcock proved, without a shadow of a doubt, he's the number one middleweight in the Midlands and that he's in the top three in the United Kingdom. It was an excellent and even matched nine-fight card put on by Ken and Louis Purchase's Ringside Promotions. The atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters was something to behold and just added to the anticipation of this trade fight. Coventry's Bendall, champion entering the scrap, was super-confident of success in the run-up to this fight, and had been vocal in saying that he'd beat Elcock and move onto a British title fight in the New Year. He didn't win, but what a chin he showed, taking flush right hands throughout the contest. Elcock, 32, from the Shard End area of Birmingham, said at the weigh-in that the comments Bendall had made him want to silence him more and was looking forward to a good battle. He certainly got one. Both entered the ring with excellent records (just four losses between them in 45 outings) and careers on the line. And both had tremendous, and some would say vociferous, support at the packed Villa leisure centre. It created an intense atmosphere as the fighters awaited their final instructions. Bendall drew first blood early in the first when he caught Wayne cold and rocked the hometown hero with a solid straight left. However, Elcock came back and two hard rights had Bendall on unsteady legs – it looked as if the fight wouldn't go much further than the first! Bendall was hurt again moments later when a right hand followed by a chopping left had Steve looking for a safe haven. It was noticeable that both men were setting their feet for power shots from the off. The Brummie challenger, trained by Paddy and Tommy Lynch, picked up where he left off in the second and his right thudded onto the face of the brave champion. Bendall was cut in this round – over the right eyebrow – and was tottering again when Elcock landed another right hand. Wayne forced the action at a breakneck speed, and it was paying dividends. The Coventry stylist came into things more in round three, using his southpaw jab to try and take the fight by the scruff of its neck. Once again, though, Elcock had Bendall doing a little dance with a powerful counter left. Bendall showed a tremendous chin to take Wayne's hard blows and stay upright. Bendall took the fourth, at least on my card, controlling matters behind a sharp southpaw lead and banging in the occasional hard hook – Wayne was never troubled by Bendall's punches, though. Elcock had dropped off a little and loaded up with the right too much. Steve was the fighter forcing the pace, but his head was spun late on after shipping a huge right. Bendall (11st 5lbs 9oz) kept edging forward in the sixth. He forced the pace and threatened to take over, however, Elcock was merely letting Steve do the leg work and he went back to what he does best: counter-punching. It was plain to see that Bendall, urged on by a huge contingent from Coventry, West Country promoter Tony Hay and Dean Francis, was growing in confidence. Wayne looked angry with himself in the corner, knowing he could do better. Chants of, “Elcock, Elcock” and “Birmingham,” lit up the leisure centre in round seven, and that seemed to spur Elcock, who was supported by a massive contingent of passionate Brummies, on. A one-two of a left straight, right-hand had Steve, whose left eye had closed, stepping back and looking to hold. Another left -right had ‘Stevie' in serious trouble on the ropes but Elcock (11st 5 1/2lbs) slipped over when he followed up – much to his chagrin. ‘Mad Dog' used a sharp jab in the early going of the eighth, but he changed tact when he landed a left- right onto Bendall's iron jaw and made him step back. Then the same shot landed again and Bendall, who was bleeding from the eyebrow, nose and mouth, stumbled drunkenly to the ropes. Elcock, sensing Bendall was there for the taking, piled it on and sent the gallant Coventry boxer's head snapping back with alarming regularity, prompting Paul Thomas to jump in and stop the contest with 1-30 gone of round number eight. A jubilant Elcock jumped onto the ringpost and celebrated with his supporters, this had been a tough battle, which he had come through and won. He'd also added the English title to his WBU title and WBF international strap. I had it 78-74 to Elcock at the time of the stoppage, incidentally. Bendall, now 25-3 (12), had vowed to retire if he lost against Wayne. I, for one, hope he reconsiders, as I feel he has plenty to offer the domestic middleweight division after a brave performance against Elcock. What a year for Wayne, though. Three fights in his home city of Birmingham, three victories, three stoppages and two titles. He started the year by revenging a defeat by Lawrence Murphy in five, and ended it with a stoppage over a man he's chased for over a decade and won the English title. Wayne's last three opponents have had a combined record of 47-5-3, by the way. He's doing Birmingham proud. As is Ken Purchase, whose shows attract more and more people and his value for money, even cards are becoming the stuff of legend in Birmingham. He's got to be thanked for putting on Wayne in his home city. Let's hope theirs more great nights at the Aston Events Centre in the future. Elcock, now 17-2 (8), was ecstatic after the fight: “This is only the English title but let's get the British and world titles back here in Brum. “This is just the beginning.” Next for Wayne is a shot at the World Boxing Foundation world title on March 17th at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. Then it's onto the winner of Richard Williams-Howard Eastman for the British title.

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