It was a successful night all round at the Britannia Hotel, which saw money being raised for charity, (‘When You Wish Upon A Star', making dreams come true for sick children), and Peacock fighters going 2-0 in the featured bouts in the latest John Merton Fight Night promotion.
The main event was Silence Saheed vs James Gorman, and if Saheed wasn't quite a ‘Mike Tyson style of fighter', (as described in the programme notes), he applied steady pressure throughout and was always looking to land the big shots with either hand. Saheed, (9st 12lbs) originally from Nigeria but now fighting out of the Peacock gym in Canning Town, looked in excellent physical shape, sculpted and brimming with confidence. Belfast's Gorman, (10st), was put under immediate pressure, with Saheed pressing forwards, throwing hard single punches that Gorman generally saw coming. Nevertheless, fighting with such perpetual motion ensured that some got through, and although the high volume of punches inevitably diminished some of the power, Gorman was forced to take some meaty hooks.
However, Gorman dug in and whilst he never threatened to turn the tables, he put on a gritty showing in a fight that was appreciated by the crowd. He never covered up for too long, and always looked to throw punches back when the fusillade of leather heading in his direction occasionally subsided.
Saheed started to throw little combinations, straight lefts and right to the head, to try and work an opening for his heavy artillery. It started to pay off, and in the last round he landed some thumping right hooks, to head and body, but Gorman was determined to hear the final bell. Saheed landed a straight left, right, left combination, through the guard of Gorman, which paved the way for a big right to the body, which rocked the Irishman to the ropes. Gorman frantically covered up as Saheed looked to press his advantage, and successfully blocked the majority of the follow up. Referee Richie Davies, who officiated throughout, scored it 60-54 to Saheed, who chalked up his sixth win in eight fights.
The opening bout saw popular Rocky Dean, (9st 3lbs), face Belfast's Simon Wilson, (9st 6lbs) in a four round fight. Dean, who wears his heart on his sleeve whenever he fights, wasted no time in launching punches from both hands. A willing Wilson met him centre ring and initially, neither was willing to surrender the initiative. However, it soon settled down into a pattern, with the two fighters alternating as the aggressor. First, one would advance and throw punches in bunches; the other would block, and then reply in turn. Towards the end of the opening round, Dean managed to apply some steady pressure, and landed a good left hook to the body.
Dean started to impose himself in the second, and Wilson was suddenly cut over the right eye. It didn't affect his vision, but seemed to drain his confidence as Dean started to warm to the task in hand. In the third, the earlier combinations of Dean were replaced by single punches from both hands and Wilson blocked many of the shots coming his way. A jab, straight right and left hook combination from Wilson was easily evaded by Dean, the weary punches sailing harmlessly over his head. With some vociferous support from a table of Peacock fighters that included Garry Delaney ringing in his ears, Dean roared out for the fourth and last round, only to be met by a suddenly galvanized Wilson. This was the best round of the night, with the fighters going toe to toe, and both landed solid punches in some thrilling two-way action. A left hook to Wilson's body actually lifted the Irishman off his feet, but Dean was now tiring and couldn't follow up. Perhaps realising that the gallant Wilson was going nowhere, Dean resorted to pot-shotting from a distance, single lefts and rights, waiting for an opening. But by this stage, Wilson was too tired to launch much back and Dean won by 40-37.
The other action of the night saw John MacKay fight a three round exhibition with Alfred Tetteh, at 9st 2lb. As well as a raffle being held, there was an auction of boxing memorabilia, and scantily clad ladies who led punters off for a more intimate chat. Unfortunately, all I had on my lap all night was my notepad.
