Ferguson warns heavyweight tournament rivals by Steven McLane Mar 27th 2008

Professional boxing made a long awaited to return to Temple Park Leisure Centre, South Shields on Thursday 20th March. The last time there was boxing here, Tyneside's John Davison topped the bill against Thailand's Bangsaen Jodmuaydang - way back on 15th May 1990. Heavyweight Dave Ferguson sent out a clear warning to his rivals in the upcoming prizefighter tournament after stopping Mark Walker inside one minute of the first round in the North versus South Shields derby. Walker (17st) came out and looked to get behind an orthodox jab whereas Ferguson (16st 11lbs) tried to find Walker with  two-fisted attacks. The end came when a chopping short right hook was landed by Ferguson around the temple of Walker sending him to the canvas.Walker bravely tried to beat the count and was up on the referees count of eight but was on unsteady legs and the ref correctly waved the contest off. A clash of two unbeaten welterweight prospects saw South Sheilds' Chris Mullen (10st 5½lbs) take on Stoke's Scott Miller (10st 3½lbs) with the man from the Potteries coming out on top 58-56 in a pulsating contest fought over six-twos . This fight wasn't one for the stylists however whatever the fighters lacked in style they more than made up for in sheer determination and heart. From the opening bell the fight was fought at close quarters neither man prepared to take a backward step until a right hook delivered by Mullen dipped the knees of Miller. This appeared to strengthen Miller's resolve. Mullen was happy to try and work the body and head of Miller who by rounds three and four was starting to land the cleaner punches and do the tidier work of the two. Toward the end of round four, Mullen was starting to visibly tire this was hardly suprising giving that the fight had been fought at such a high tempo. In the fifth round Miller kept piling forward landing the cleaner work causing a swelling and a cut above the right eye of Mullen. Mullen responded landing flush with a heavy looking left hook of his own to show he was still in the contest. In the sixth round both fighters dug deep at the start of the round however a tiring Mullen touched down three times during the round each occasion deemed by the referee to have not been legitimate knockdowns Miller sensing a late stoppage poured on the punches landing with his right hand almost at will. Both fighters deserved the ovation they got at the end of what was a hard fought contest. Miller improves to 3-0 whilst Mullen falls to 3-1. Sunderland man Paul Holborn (9st 13lbs) proved to be too sharp and busy for Dwayne Hill (9st 12lbs), taking a 60-56 decision over the man from Sheffield over six-twos. The rapid combinations from Holborn who worked the body and head of Hill throughout the contest were the difference between the two men. The only scare for ‘The Mackem' came when a clash of heads opened up a cut above his left eye in round five that required three stitches. The win sets Holborn up perfectly for his tilt at the Northern Area lightweight title in June. Holborn improves to 7-1-1, Hill falls to 9-7. Debuting local favourite Billy Bell (9st 2lb) edged Manchester's Duane Cumberbatch 58-57 in a slugfest of a fight. Cumberbatch stood a rangy figure in the ring over Bell and was happy to try and spear his man in the opener with long sting shots however Bell had come to fight and up for a scrap nearly sending Cumberbatch to the canvas in the second with a left hook. For the rest of the contest it continued at a frenetic pace and was fought toe-to-toe much to the delight of the crowd. Bell is now 1-0 whilst Cumberbatch falls to 0-2. Hartlepool's Shaun Farmer (11st 1lbs) took on John Musgrave (11st 2lbs) in a keenly fought light-middleweight contest with Farmer just managing to edge a 58-57 verdict, much to the disgust of his rival from Barnsley. Although the contest was close I myself had Farmer just nicking it. Farmer improves to 6-5 whilst Musgrave falls to 4-5. Newcastle lightweight John ‘Razor' Watson (10st) racked up his fifth professional win of his career with a routine performance over Dewsbury's Youssef Al Hamidi (9st 10lbs). Watson used his height and reach to good effect and although the margin 59-55 seemed a bit wide given Al Hamidi was always a danger throughout showing glimpses of his own boxing ability Watson fully deserved his win. Watson improves to 5-1 whilst Al Hamidi falls to 3-8-1.

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