Elcock v McDermott Countdown: What the experts say by Tom Podmore Jun 19th 2008

It's the fight that every boxing fan in the Midlands has wanted to see since Darren McDermott, only 7-0-1 entering, gatecrashed the domestic top ten with a five-round retirement win over Andy Halder, a former British title challenger and Midland Area middleweight champion, at Dudley Town Hall in 2005. Not many expected Halder to surrender his Area title that night. Now, two months after it was scheduled to happen (April 25, the champion pulled with a chest infection) and four years after it was first touted, Birmingham's Wayne Elcock puts his British title on the line for the first time against Dudley's Darren McDermott, undefeated in 15 and mandatory challenger, in a Birmingham versus Black Country middleweight 12-rounder at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Sky Sports televise this Hennessy Sports, GoldenPalace.net and First Team-promoted card on Friday night (June 20). And this is a genuine 50-50 clash between a 34-year-old Shard End-based, Paddy Lynch-trained, Hennessy-promoted holder, 18 wins in 21 (eight quickly, three defeats), and the 29-year-old Ronnie Brown-advised, Dean Powell-managed Dudley gas fitter, 14 wins in 15 (one draw, nine inside), a former unbeaten Midland Area and British Masters champion. With that in mind, BBN has enlisted the opinions of people in the trade (media, promoters, trainers, current and former pros) on who will emerge with the coveted Lonsdale Belt strapped around their middleweight waist after the all-Midland clash reaches its conclusion. Jon Pegg – matchmaker, promoter, trainer and former pro who lost a majority decision to Elcock in the amateurs. He was also the matchmaker for Elcock's fights with Lawrence Murphy II, Vinny Baldassara and Steve Bendall. “It's a finely balanced match. Both are super-fit and both posses a punch to hurt the other. I can see Wayne coming out and bossing the first few rounds with his fast hands before McDermott takes over. Elcock is the number one in Britain and has fought for a world title so might not be as keen to put everything on the line as McDermott, who is still yet to receive this kind of recognition and who's freshness will grind out a close points win.” Prediction: McDermott UD12. Pat Cowdell – the former British, Commonwealth and European super-featherweight champion who also won Olympic bronze. The Birmingham stylist, 36-6 (18), also took Salvador Sanchez to a 15-round split decision in a WBC world title challenge in Texas. “Wayne will be too strong. He's fired-up and his confidence is still high after beating Eastman for the British title last September (Cowdell promoted that card at the SkyDome, by the way). Darren is capable but Elcock will be too well-rounded and stop him in the eighth.” Prediction: Elcock RSF8. Kevin Taylor – site owner, BBN. “This is one fight I could easily sit on the fence over. Both have good points, but so far I haven't seen many bad points for McDermott. He seems to get better and better when he goes up another level. Though Elcock has the better punch and has been in with the better fighters, Eastman, Farnell, this will be only his 22nd fight in nine years. McDermott will be having his 16th in just five years. Wayne's ability to bounce back from his loss to Abraham is another thing that worries me. I think McDermott will win it late, probably around the ninth or tenth, after slowly breaking Elcock's heart.” Prediction: McDermott RSF9. Dan Mole – Walsall FC's press man and BBN's Midlands correspondent. “I think Elcock will edge this. ‘The Black Country Body Snatcher' may be undefeated but Elcock will just have a little bit too much for him. Wayne's been in with the likes of Howard Eastman and has had plenty of time to recover from his IBF title defeat at the fists of Arthur Abraham. I think McDermott will have the better of the opening rounds but Elcock's ring nouse will see him through.” Prediction: Elcock RSF7. Dan McGovern – erstwhile BBN Midlands correspondent. “This should act as a coming of age fight for ‘Macca'. Hidden from TV for all of his 15-fight apprenticeship, learning his trade on shows around the Black Country, this sure-to-be explosive Birmingham versus Black Country derby will act as the Dudley native's springboard onto the national middleweight scene. He can utilise his height advantage and high workrate to offset the Elcock's edge in strength and power, forcing a late stoppage. It's a sure-fire cracker.” Prediction: McDermott RSF10 Steve Wellings – BBN's Midland-born, Northern Ireland-based Irish correspondent. “It's a close fight. Darren has compiled a decent record against good domestic names. Stopping Andy Halder was a great breakthrough victory and stoppage wins over Michael Monaghan, Darren Rhodes and Kai Kauramaki are impressive. He has shown he can crack – nine halted in 14 – and that two-round win over Conroy McIntosh looks good considering all the trouble he'd given Geard Ajetovic, Darren Barker and Paul Smith. “Elcock must be considered the favourite. He boxed for the IBF title in December and has shown good boxing ability against Bendall and Farnell, as well as vulnerability against Murphy and Abraham. The win over Eastman was Wayne's standout win, showing he could last the pace in good company. He also has good stamina. I think McDermott could be level with Elcock at some stage of the fight but Wayne can then take over and stop him late.” Prediction: Elcock RSF11. Dean Harrison – Wolverhampton's undefeated light-welterweight prospect, 12-0 (3), who scored a career-best win over Gary Reid last time out and hopes to be fighting for the British 10st title, currently held by Manchester's David Barnes, by the start of next year. “It's a great fight, one that we've all wanted to see round here for a long, long time. There isn't a great deal in it but I think that McDermott will show the country what everyone in the Midlands has known for a long while [how good he is]. He may have to overcome one or two scares but he'll grit it out and win.” Prediction: McDermott UD12. Alex ‘Sledgehammer' Strutt – Worcestershire's (Ombersley) undefeated super-middleweight, 2-0 (1), who is likely to be back in action in mid-July. “I can see this fight going all the way to the scorecards. It will be close but Elcock will get the nod at the end, probably with all the judges voting for him. Although I'm a fan of both fighters, I just think Elcock has the edge in more things – something that will be enough for him to seal the victory. He has fought better men and was good enough to give Arthur Abraham an excellent fight last time out. But McDermott's phenomenal fitness will certainly play a part in a fantastic clash of styles and will give Wayne his hardest fight to date. I can't wait.” Prediction: Elcock UD12. Matthew Macklin – Birmingham's British middleweight title contender, 21-2 (16), who would love to meet the winner and is next out at the Second City's Aston Villa Events Centre on July 19. “Both are nice lads and it is a shame that one of them has to lose, but its good for boxing in the Midlands and Britain that they are going to fight each other. It will be a good fight but I think that McDermott can pull it off. He has confidence and determination and will win on points. I then want to meet the winner in another all-Midlands British title fight.” Prediction: McDermott SD12. Darren Barker – 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and current Commonwealth middleweight champion from Barnet, 17-0 (11), who would like to fight the winner. “I haven't seen very much of McDermott, but you have to go with Elcock. He's the champion, beat Howard Eastman – doing a far better job on him than Duddy – and will want to put his local rival away and move upwards again.” Prediction: Elcock UD12. Paul Butlin – Melton Mowbray's heavyweight contender, 12-7 (3), who boxed with credit in the Matchroom-promoted Prizefighter heavyweight tournament at the York Hall in April. “I think that it will end on points, although both could hit the floor at some stage. I'm going to go with McDermott, the fresher and fitter of the two fighters, to come through with a close one at the end of a tough and entertaining fight. It's a local derby, however, so you can't write Elcock off.” Prediction: McDermott UD12. Lee Jones – Telford's former world kickboxing bronze medallist and 2-1 Richie Woodhall-trained light-heavyweight pro. “I think that Elcock will win, probably by stoppage in the last third of the fight. I think he will be too strong for McDermott and will grind him down in a similar way to the English title fight with Steve Bendall. If his mind is clear and positive after that heavy knockout defeat to Abraham, and there are question marks about that, he should retain his title in nine scruffy rounds.” Prediction: Elcock RSF9. Stuart Elwell – Darlaston's former Midland Area welterweight champion, 11-2 (1), who boxes former European light-welterweight champion Ted Bami over eight rounds in Liverpool on July 4. “McDermott will have to be at his very best to win, but honestly think he'll do it. Elcock will have moments when he looks like he'll win but Darren, who hasn't really needed to show his grit and determination so far, will ride them out and take the title on the scorecards. Whatever the result, it's a win-win situation for boxing in the Midlands.” Prediction: McDermott UD12 Martin Gethin – unbeaten Midland Area lightweight boss from Walsall, 13-0-1 (5), who will box for the vacant English lightweight title in the autumn. “I think McDermott will just do enough to edge it. He is a Black Country lad for one [laughs] but is a lot younger and fresher, which could prove to be the difference. But it is hard to say because Elcock has been at world class level and has more experience, beating the likes of Farnell and Eastman. It's a difficult one to pick as local fights are always close.” Prediction: McDermott SD12. Jonjo Finnegan – Burton's Midland Area and British Masters title challenger, 11-3-3, who boxes Jim Rock for the vacant Irish light-heavyweight title in Dublin on July 12. He has sparred with McDermott on several occasions, interestingly. “I've ran this fight through my head many times and it's still hard to pick. Both are friends of mine and are dedicated professionals who want to prove who is the number one in the area. If Wayne underestimates Darren – thinking he'll be a pushover – then he could be in trouble. Darren can set a blistering pace and has a great chin. I've sparred with him a lot and can see how he stops them: wearing them down and sickening them with body shots. Still, he hasn't shared a ring with anyone as good as Elcock, who is one of the most complete domestic fighters in the country. “But Elcock will find the openings, working his way inside to hit the challenger's long body, and will be too powerful in the trenches. I think his experience will be the decider, forcing a dramatic stoppage in what could be the best domestic scraps of the year.” Prediction: Elcock RSF9. Karl Chiverton – Mansfield's former Junior ABA champion and welterweight contender, 9-1, who will probably box for his first professional belt towards the end of the year. “Very, very tough one to call. That said, I think that Elcock will probably stamp his authority at some point and pull out a tight split decision. It will be tough – both having their moments during a close fight – but just think that Elcock has mixed at a better level. That, for me at least, will prove to be decisive.” Prediction: Elcock SD12. Dave Coldwell – former Central Area flyweight champion and now a successful promoter and trainer who's led Ryan Rhodes and Kell Brook to British titles in recent months. “I'm going to go with McDermott to win the title. I think he's been brought along really well, right fights at the right time and hasn't been rushed or thrown in with anyone too soon. He's had very good learning fights along the way – the likes of Darren Rhodes and Andy Halder. He also looks strong, fit and I think he'll be too much of a handful for Elcock. “I don't think Elcock is as strong as McDermott. Against Monaghan, Elcock was pushed back by Mick, who has never been known for his strength. Mick wasn't impressed with Wayne's power either. But Darren did a real job on Monaghan when they met. I did think that Wayne boxed well against Arthur Abraham, doing well for the first three or four rounds against a good champion with power in both of his fists. But he got broken down a bit and got caught by a patient and top-class world champion who is as strong as an ox. “Having said that, coupled with his advancing age, he might not be the same fighter now. McDermott, the fresher fighter with the fitness and the strength on his side, comes through with either a wide unanimous decision or a late stoppage.” Prediction: McDermott UD12 or late stoppage. Anthony Farnell – up-and-coming trainer and Manchester's former two-time WBU champion, 33-4 (20), who lost his WBU belt to Elcock in 2003. “Although I like and rate Elcock – he's a sharp boxer and punches a lot harder than his record suggests – I think McDermott will win quite comfortably. Wayne has a puncher's chance but lost his last fight and I think that will take a lot out of him. Wayne might argue otherwise but not a lot of people can come back from defeat like that and bounce back with a win over a hungry and unbeaten fighter next time out. Darren is the up-and-coming boxer and I think he'll do it.” Prediction: McDermott UD12. Andy Halder – Coventry's former British title challenger and Midland Area champion, 14-5 (2), who lost his Midland belt to McDermott and was once down to box Elcock in Birmingham. “I think that it could go either way, both having things to cancel the other one out. It's a great fight for the Midlands to have. McDermott is my pick, however, getting on top in the middle rounds and wearing Wayne down with his phenomenal workrate for a late stoppage.” Prediction: McDermott RSF11. Overall: McDermott 11, Elcock 8.

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