BT Sport cameras were at the Brentwood Centre, Essex, on Saturday night as Frank Warren put on a card packed full of up and coming talent.
“The Beast” Anthony Yarde topped the bill in Essex, in another WBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title defence, this time against limited Argentine battler Walter Sequeira. Yarde started in usual fashion, pumping the jab, and working it off it with success. He also scored with some hard rights in the opener that had the visitor in a little discomfort, but Sequeira connected with some chopping overhand rights towards the close of the round. The second was much the same, with Yarde controlling the action and Sequeira limited to fighting to keep Yarde at bay. The size difference was evident, and although Sequeira had some success, his punches didn’t carry the power to hurt the Londoner. It was to be a dominant third round for Yarde, with the Argentine physically slowing down. The fourth saw the breakthrough for Yarde, felling Sequeira with a chopping right halfway through the round. Sequeira complained about the shot, but there was no doubt about the second knockdown, a short, hard right hand putting Sequeira on the deck. A follow up attack on the resumption again put Sequeira down, and this time referee Phil Edwards had seen enough, and the fight was stopped.
It taught us little about Yarde, and you hope a real step up is imminent to tell us exactly how good he is or can be. He is loftily ranked with several organisations, but surely is not ready for the big fish at World Title level just yet. Post fight, Yarde reiterated that there is no immediate rush to move on. Yarde’s promoter, Frank Warren was keen to emphasise that he didn’t want to throw him straight in with any of the World Champions at the weight. Warren also said that Yarde was past British level, and wants a World Title later on in 2019. I’d love to see Yarde in at least at European level before this, or against a recognised gate keeper who will give Yarde at least a chin check.
The nominal main event, was the London derby between Gary Corcoran and Johnny Garton for the vacant British Welterweight Title. The atmosphere was at fever pitch for the fight, with many not staying around for Anthony Yarde’s fight that followed due to the massive following of both combatants. It was a frantic pace throughout, and a cracking contest between the two. It was no quarter given stuff, and both men had their successes toe to toe. Sadly the action was mirrored in sections of the crowd, with a brawl erupting yet again in ugly scenes at the start of the third round. Mike Goodall was forced to bellow instructions over the PA system to try and quell the fighting, which was a shame, as the action inside the ring was scintillating. It was a phone box type war, and towards the later rounds, Corcoran was bloodied and also bruised, with Garton slowly gaining the upper hand, even though he was nastily cut himself. Corcoran was always in the fight, but a juddering right hand turned the fight in Garton’s favour once and for all. Corcoran unravelled, and a follow up massive left, put Corcoran’s eyes in orbit, and only the ropes were holding him up. Referee Steve Gray had seen enough though, and stopped Corcoran on his feet in a fight of the year contender to become British Champion.
Zak Chelli came out on top in the battle of the prospects against Umar Sadiq over eight rounds at Super Middleweight. The two had a 7-0 combined record going into the fight. Sadiq started slowly, and this was to cost him, with Chelli counter punching well In the early going. Sadiq was floored in the sixth by a booming right hand from Chelli, and this would prove to be pivotal. It was all action in the final round, with both men going for broke, and there were some great exchanges right at the end of the session, Chelli landing a monster left to stop Sadiq in his tracks. Referee Chas Coakley saw the fight 77-74 for Chelli, but both boxers lose nothing in taking each other on so early in their careers.
The show opener saw Heavyweight prospect, Nathan Gorman get a run out against trial horse, Kamil Sokolowski. The two had met before in May 2016, with Gorman a fifth round victor on that occasion. Gorman is improving with every fight, and a fight between him and Daniel Dubois seems to be imminent. Gorman was comfortable, and dictated the pace on his terms without needed to step on the gas. The Pole was intent on survival, and Gorman was never in trouble, eventually having to settle for a 79-73 win on the referee’s card.
