Classy McCloskey Dominates Tough Bazan by Steve Wellings Apr 1st 2008

Paul McCloskey exhibited vast potential and no short supply of quality when posting a virtual shutout win over former world level operator Cesar Bazan in Letterkenny. While the man from nearby Dungiven was expected to win, it was not perceived he would dominate the dogged Bazan in such a one-sided fashion. Straight from the opening bell, McCloskey (10 stone 10llb) took the initiative of centre ring and used his variety of skills to take a 100-91 point's win on the scorecard of referee Emile Tiedt. I scored it a whitewash 100-90 and that was not being unkind to the tough Mexican who came to fight but was second best to a man clearly on the rise. McCloskey came out and established his intentions, whipping in slashing left hands to the torso while stalking in and out of danger from his loose southpaw stance. Bazan (10 stone 8llb) showed flashes of danger throughout, as was expected from a man who once held the WBC lightweight title but as early as the second round Paul was working the jab and wracking up points with excellent timing and accuracy. It was the simple moves he produced all night that impressed me, feinting and encouraging the slower Bazan to throw first, then expertly countering the 33 year-olds lead punches. Bazan landed a meaty right in the third round as McCloskey turned an uncomfortable orthodox, a move he should not be toying with too often in higher level company. Against this man he had the fluidity to duck, sway and bob the head in and out of range while clubbing in left hands and right hooks. By the fourth McCloskey was dominating, he looked a class above and rocked back Bazan's head, remaining calm even after a tangle of footwork left both on the canvas. The fifth and sixth followed familiar patterns as McCloskey dropped in the lead right uppercut and loaded up for the knockout which ultimately never came. The seventh round was the first that Bazan could even come close to claiming a share of as he jabbed away and landed a right hand, but it was McCloskey who was sending sweat spraying into the ringside lights with heavy counter shots. The eighth was also closer and McCloskey went back to basics in the ninth as he moved through the gears and snapped Bazan's skull back with hard shots. This was the session that referee Tiedt scored 10-10, so did ringside pundit Dave ‘Boy' MacAuley as he later revealed in the press conference. An early somersault from McCloskey on the canvas started the tenth but it was all academic as he continued to stagger the teak tough Mexican who refused to buckle. When the final bell sounded, both men embraced and nobody doubted the winner, all that was left to discover was the margin. “This was my 31st show and McCloskey looked very, very good out there tonight,” gushed promoter Brian Peters at the post-fight press conference. “We will definitely be looking to bring more Boxing to this venue and maybe get a shot at the European title before the end of the year.” Colin Lynes holds that belt and Peters revealed Barry Hearn's Matchroom team would not be particularly difficult to work with if that match was to be made. As for McCloskey himself, he was happy, despite being his own worst critic: “I'll be ready for the big boys soon; the hand (injury) was no problem tonight.” Trainer John Breen added that as long as Paul remained focused there was no reason why he could not become a major player at the weight; “I rate him right up there with the Khan's,” he said. And what of the man in the opposite corner? Bazan had limited English but was clearly impressed and extremely cordial in defeat. “He is good and fast but maybe needs more fights. Thank you for the opportunity and in three fights time I am done (retiring). I'm tired.” I am not surprised after a night taking those shots Cesar! Returning welterweight Neil Sinclair (10 stone 7llb) had it all to do after dropping the first two rounds on my card, but he solved the problems caused by Juan Martinez Bas (10 stone 8llb) to take an 80-73 verdict from referee Emile Tiedt. In the main under card attraction Sinclair was a little too open to Bas' dangerous left hand and was swelling below the right eye as early as the second round. The Spanish based Argentine southpaw was aggressive and tough but Sinclair started popping the jab and was finding a home for the straight right hand by the third round. Bas smiled every time Sinclair landed but it was no laughing matter as Neil worked a left hook off the jab and introduced the uppercut. A right hand staggered Bas in the fourth but still he advanced equipped with the danger left hand but Sinclair was always a step ahead, fighting with his face smothered in Vaseline. Both men traded in centre ring early into round six and two consecutive left's had Sinclair backing onto the ropes for comfort. This was exactly where he didn't want to be and memories of his vulnerability always made this interesting, even though Neil shaded the round with some late body work. Come the seventh and Sinclair was firmly into a rhythm, leading with the right hand and causing Bas to grimace and look briefly at the ref; the South American has some chin. The final round saw Sinclair box off the back foot, maintaining range and blocking Bas' best efforts while returning counters. Even though Tiedt only rewarded Bas with the share of a round, I saw it a little closer but with the same victor, Sinclair by a 78-74 margin. Classy Cavan light-welterweight Andrew Murray (9 stone 9llb) followed up last week's late notice third round KO win with another in the same stanza on this show. This time the victim was Eastern-European Juris Ivanovs (10 stone) who felt the wrath of Murray and was counted out at 1.11 of round three. Murray began smoothly, displaying his good footwork and reddening the face of Ivanovs while maintaining a safe distance. He was clearly a class above and blows were getting through the reasonably secure guard of the Latvian journeyman who had mixed in fair company. Andrew secured his eleventh paid win in the third round when a right to the body staggered the bloody faced Ivanovs and only the ropes kept him vertical. Clearly angered, Ivanovs rallied back and Murray caught enough cleanly to want to hold and smother his raging opponent. Class told as Murray found the gap through the bull-rush to sneak a solid right hand and Ivanovs was down and out. After the disappointment of not defending his Irish title, Murray has bounced back with two early stoppage wins inside a week which can't be bad form. Referee was Mr. McCullagh. Coming on before the main event and with a sizeable following in tow, Omagh light-middleweight Damian Taggart was stunned by a first round stoppage at the hands of youthful Janis Chernouskis. The 19 year-old Latvian looked even younger but it was no child's play as he bludgeoned Taggart to defeat in 1.51 of the opening round. Both were announced as 10 stone 9llb by MC Mike Goodall. Damian came out strongly, backing his man up and landing meaty body shots. But it was noticeable that every time Chernouskis punched back, Taggart backed away and let him off the ropes. Out of nothing Chernouskis landed a cavalcade of head shots that sent Taggart swimming as the hooks and straight punches rattled his head back and forth. Inexperience meant Damian did not take a knee and even a fall into the ropes failed to stem the tide. Taggart fell into a sitting position and rose only to be knocked over for a genuine knockdown, strangely ref Paul McCullagh stood at distance and did not take sufficient action throughout. Taggart rose and staggered into his corner for the count, jelly legged and out of it, while McCullagh held his hands up and prepared to send the Omagh novice back out for more! Luckily trainer John Breen had seen sense and mounted the ring apron to call McCullagh over and accept a retirement. Taggart's very presence had drawn scorn from some vocal observers at ringside who felt he was there to boost the gate sales. They may have a point. Perennial grafter Ciaran Healy huffed and puffed his way to a rematch victory over Pavel Lotah in a billed light-middleweight 8x3's, where both men weighed 8 stone 3llb. Healy either unblocks his nasal passages or spits out in-between each attack, but his decent work rate and slapping flurries earned him a 78-74 verdict from referee Emile Tiedt. Healy tried to hurt the body during the early exchanges and found a home for a good left hook whilst Lotah had success all night with sporadic pot shots. Lotah amusingly came out for both the fourth and fifth without a gumshield in place, so eager he was to resume battle. By the sixth it appeared the 21 year-old (but looking much older) Latvian could steal it as a good right hand and left jabs skewered Healy back to the ropes. Never the most durable, Ciaran looked despondent but as Lotah went left hand happy in the seventh, the Irishman fought back. Despite appearing hurt in the penultimate session, Healy overcame a nasty welt under his right eye and scored frequently enough to give the impression of a comfortable win. Lotah seemed happy enough to wave at the growing crowd after the decision was announced and it is hard to see exactly which direction Healy is heading either. Belfast's Luke Wilton (8 stone 5llb) got the evening off to a flying start as he scored a first round knockout on his professional debut. The 19 year-old Bantamweight got stuck right into Hungarian Istvan Ajtai (8 stone 6llb) with body shots and a left hook to the ribs dropped his man almost immediately. Ajtai was up and trading before a follow up flurry sent him back to the canvas, prompting referee Paul McCullagh to tentatively call a halt at 1.19 of the opener. Ajtai was apparently up for it all week but young Wilton was just too sharp and while Istvan's meek protests at being stopped may have been valid, what was the point in letting it continue? Wilton appears to be one to watch for the future.

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Good Show Apr 2nd 2008, 11:05:03 by steve_wellings You're spot on gkt. It was a good venue and the bill ran smoothly amd thoroughly enjoyable. We had good banter at ringside and i had meant for more words with the lads and chat with your good self but time beat me! Looking forward to the next big Irish show already. Cheers mate. Steve   Good show Decent Venue Apr 1st 2008, 14:29:32 by gkt999 THis was a good show for the money and a great venue for Irish boxing. Hopefully Brian Peters will be back there again soon. I assume you enjoyed the night yourself Steve was nice to meet up eventually.