Frank Warren’s latest card came from the International Centre in Telford, and in the main event, Jason Cunningham defended his European and IBF International super bantamweight title with a dominant sixth round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Terry Le Couviour.
Cunningham (31-6, 7 KOs) came into this one in an Indian Summer of his career, having first upset Gamal Yafai to win the Commonwealth title last year, before adding British and European straps with a scrappy points win over Brad Foster last October. Le Couviour (16-1, 2 KOs) was largely unknown outside of his native France, and had only been ten rounds once previously.
’The Iceman’ started brightly, with flashy combinations and the Frenchman was doing his best to close the distance and get close to the champion early on.
The Doncaster man made the breakthrough in the second, landing a superb left uppercut to the body of the visitor, that hurt and dropped him, and although Le Couviour bravely beat the count, he was hurt again right at the end of the round, once again to the body.
The 27-year-old was too easy hit, and yet another body shot had him wincing and on the deck at the start of round three, and although he beat the count for a second time, the writing was on the wall.
The fourth saw more of the same, with the Cunningham, 32, having no respect for anything the challenger had to offer, and more body shots came raining in in the fifth.
Those body shots finally ended matters just a round later, and this time Le Couviour had met his end, accepting defeat as the fight was waved off.
Heaney survives scare to beat Ramirez
After the main event came the ever-popular ticket seller Nathan Heaney, and he was forced to overcome an early knockdown to take a points win over ten, and defend his IBO International middleweight title against Diego Ramirez.
The Stoke-on-Trent man was decked in the first round, by a superb left hook that had him back-pedalling, and he eventually fell to the canvas.
After beating the count, the 33-year-old stuck to his boxing for the next couple of rounds to keep the visitor at bay, but Ramirez (24-7-1, 6 KOs) remained dangerous, tagging Heaney (15-0, 6 KOs) in the fourth.
The Argentine tired after halfway, and was less of a threat, allowing the ‘Hitman’ to dictate in the main as the fight went to the cards.
Scores of 98-91 97-93, and 97-92 gave Heaney victory.
Cain secures maiden title
Andrew Cain ruthlessly claimed his first title as a professional, as the Liverpudlian took the vacant WBC International Silver super bantamweight crown with a first round stoppage of Pablo Ariel Gomez (15-11-2, 1 KO).
Cain (9-0, 8 KOs) scored a knockdown with a counter right hand that landed high on the head of the Argentine within the first 15 seconds, and the visitor rose groggily, and the referee waved the fight off.
ONE AND DONE! 💥@AndrewCainERT wins the WBC International Silver Bantamweight Title inside 20-seconds 🏆🥊 pic.twitter.com/7HoxAy7xFK
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 16, 2022
Remaining Undercard
Ethan ‘Jammy’ James (8-0) went eight rounds for the second straight contest, and the Northampton-based super lightweight took a 78-75 points win against Ben Fields (10-12-2).
Brad Strand (7-0, 3 KOs) extended his unbeaten record, as the super bantamweight took a decision win over Tanzania’s Ally Mwerangi (11-2, 7 KOs) by a 60-53 margin, and at welterweight, Owen Cooper (6-0, 2 KOs) extended his undefeated streak taking a 59-56 verdict over six against Richard Helm.
And still undefeated! 🙌
21-year-old Owen Cooper defeats Richard Helm to go 6-0 🥊 pic.twitter.com/TzFHAyX6e7
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 16, 2022
George Davey (5-0-1) was held to a draw in his six rounder at welterweight against Serge Ambomo (7-29-3, 3 KOs).
George Bance (3-0, 1 KO) stopped Des Newton (8-24, 2 KOs) at welterweight, while Macauley Owen (3-0, 1 KO) took a four round points win over Liam Richards (12-73, 1 KO) at super lightweight. There was also a stoppage win at flyweight for Bradley Thompson (4-0, 2 KOs), who halted Francisco Rodriguez (1-6, 1 KO).
