Gammer hammers Krence by Ben Carey May 16th 2005

Scott Gammer announced his arrival on the British heavyweight title scene with an impressive stoppage over local favourite Mark Krence at Sheffield's Octagon Centre yesterday afternoon. There wasn't a great deal in it following seven keenly contested rounds but Krence, his white shorts coated in claret after sustaining damage to his nose, suddenly fell apart midway through the eighth. A short left hook heralded the beginning of the end, sending Krence against the ropes on rubbery legs. Gammer was quick to capitalise, unleashing a barrage of blows and when an uppercut rocked Krence's head back the towel came in from trainer Richard Poxon as referee Terry O'Connor hovered in close attendance. One wondered if Mark could have weathered the crisis with the fight still in the balance (certainly on my card, though most ringsiders had Gammer in a handy lead), but his corner, erring on the side of caution, have saved the Yorkshireman for another day. Krence does have his English title to fall back on. Considering this was Gammer's first excursion beyond six rounds the Welshman can be delighted with his performance. Despite being outweighed by 12lbs (Gammer 15st3, Krence 16st1), it was the visitor who dictated proceedings throughout. Light on his feet and revealing some brisk handspeed, Gammer pursued Krence around the perimeter of the ring in the opener. Mark remained composed however, unleashing a stiff jab and just managing to evade Gammer's left hooks which whistled by his chin. Round two brought some heated exchanges with both men enjoying success. An overhand right drew cheers from Gammer's small travelling contingent but back came Krence with a jab and right hand of his own. At times, Gammer was guilty of rushing his work, and while delivering the more eyecatching blows he missed with his fair share too. Scott's work flowed better in the third as he started to work Krence over. A left, right, left sent Krence to the ropes as blood seeped from his mouth. This was a worrying spell for Mark and he appeared to be in some difficulty when nailed by a crashing left hook in the fourth. Gammer's corner urged their man to end matters but Krence, showing real determination, gritted his teeth and let fly with two-fisted bursts as the crowd roared their approval. Having gone all out to force the referee's intervention in round four, Gammer was more subdued in the fifth and sixth with Krence shading the rounds for my money. Doubling the jab and firing over an occasional arching right was bringing success for the Yorkshireman as Gammer's corner, becoming concerned for the first time, urged Scott to “pick it up”. Gammer responded emphatically. The Welshman's honey punch, the left hook, was the one that did the damage, snapping Krence's weary head back. Switching his focus to the body, Gammer sank in a hard left to the body for good measure which visibly made Krence wince in round seven. Mark looked a forlorn figure inbetween rounds and the finish, when it arrived at two minutes of the eighth came as no surprise, sparking wild jubilation from the Gammer corner. “Scott Gammer is one of the best technical heavyweights in the world,” claimed manager Paul Boyce immediately afterwards. “He's still only 28 and we are going to take our time with him. He's not quite ready for the likes of Danny Williams yet,” he added when pressed about Gammer's next move after winning this official eliminator for the British title. Boyce's honesty was refreshing, and one wonders if he'll be tempted to take his charge down the Commonwealth route – the title currently remains vacant. In direct contrast manager Dennis Hobson couldn't hide his disappointment following Krence's second stoppage defeat in his last three bouts. “Mark has got the ability but he lacks self-belief. I believe in him, as does Richard (Poxon), but he's got to believe in himself. I still feel Mark is good enough to fight for the British title and here at Fight Academy we like to stick with our fighters. We'll sit down and talk to him and see what he wants to do.”

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