Top of the bill saw local lad, Tommy Frank take another step up the world rankings, but was made to work very hard in a split decision win against the teak tough Thai, Aran Dipaen at Pond’s Forge in Sheffield.
The ever popular Frank picked up the WBC Silver International Super Flyweight Title as a result.
Dipaen came to Sheffield with a large knockout ratio, and began the contest whipping in big body shots, and rapid shots to the head of his opponent.
Frank fired back though with solid body shots of his own in round two, and it was give and take action on the whole as the contest progressed, with rounds not the easiest to score, with both men having pockets of success during each round.
Dipaen, although his mouth open from the fourth round, continued to go to the body of the Commonwealth Champion, with decent success. Frank wasn’t deterred though, and kept good movement, which he needed to keep the slippery visitor at bay.
There wasn’t a lot of sustained action during the fight, with both men landing in not much more than single and double shots, but it was still an intriguing contest. The fight hinged on what you liked, weather that be Frank’s ring generalship, or Dipaen’s marauding, come forward style. The Thai celebrated with arms open to finish the end of the ninth, but this was somewhat bravado, as he was feeling the heat of battle.
It was testament to the condition Dipaen was in that he finished the fight, as he was largely on the back foot in the Championship rounds, and blowing heavily, but he still had his successes, with Frank’s right eye reddening.
Frank clubbed in a big right hand in the eleventh, but a low blow landed to the visitor gave Dipaen some much needed respite. The final round passed without much incident as the bout went to the cards.
Mark Lyson tallied 115-113 for Dipaen, but was over ruled by both Alexander Walter at 115-113 and Jose Lazaro Carrasco Junior’s 116-113 in favour of Frank, who became the new Champion.
Opening the live show was former British Bantamweight Champion, Josh Wale, now campaigning at Super Featherweight, and he took on the always game, Spanish based Nicaraguan, Sergio Gonzales over eight rounds.
The opener saw Wale put together some nice combination punches, and a good couple of lefts to the body found the mark for the Barnsley man. Gonzales himself had success in the second, as he started to let his shots go, but Wale regained control with some clean body work.
It was pretty much repetitive action, with the visitor charging in, and Wale controlling the pace and enjoying larger amounts of success. In the end, the import was too much of a tough nut to crack, and Wale had to settle for an 80-72 points win for referee Mark Lyson.
Tyrone nurse continues his paid career, and he enjoyed a 59-56 six round points win against Fernando Valencia.
