KO wins for Ball and Cain on 'Undefeated' event in Liverpool

‘Undefeated’ full fight report

13 unbeaten prospects took to the ring on Black Flash Promotions 'Undefeated' event on Friday, February 28

One day before the quadrennial Leap Year date of February 29, seven unbeaten prospects from the thriving Everton Red Triangle Gym in Liverpool joined by half a dozen more local fighters with perfect records put on a show at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.

Full report here:

Jack McKinlay (2-0) vs Michael Likalu (0-2) 4x3 Welterweight contest

Opening the show, Jack ‘The Ripper’ McKinlay doubled his win tally against an unknown opponent with just one fight, but he proved to be very tough, as McKinlay landed heavy shots, but he wasn’t moving him anywhere. Jack was a clear winner in a good learning fight.

McKinlay: "There wasn't any feeling out process, the lad came to win and we went at it from the first bell. I landed some solid right hands and I felt my jab was landing well. I hurt my hand in the second round but felt like I was the better technical boxer than him. He tried to put it on me and had a high workrate but I landed the cleaner shots and am happy with m performance. I learnt a lot from that fight."

James Heneghan (4-0) vs Scott Williams (0-5) 4x3 Super-middleweight contest

Heneghan was triumphant on points at 40-36 in a dominant performance against a negative opponent, which frustrated Hedges towards the end.

Jonathan Walsh (4-0) vs Chris Adaway (10-64-4) 4x3 Super-lightweight contest

Walsh moved up to 4-0 with a points win, but it was a close decision, scored at 39-38. Plymouth’s Adaway would have taught ‘Jof’ a few lessons in there, which will stand him in good stead going forward.

It was a tough fight, but Walsh did just enough in the end. He won the first couple of rounds with ease but switched off in the third momentarily and had to battle hard in the final round to grab the win.

Walsh: “It wasn’t my best performance, to be honest, but he was awkward and I don’t think anyone ever looks good against him, but it’s a win and onto the next one.”

Junior Thompson (2-0) vs Kristaps Zulgis (5-15-3) 4x3 Middleweight contest

Southpaw Thompson eased to a points win in an uneventful contest partly due to the negative opponent, who wouldn’t engage. Thompson displayed a crisp jab, was very light on his feet, and was always looking to land the backhand, but the Essex-based Latvian was constantly on his toes, keeping away from the home fighter who just used the rounds as practice.

Carly Skelly (3-0) vs Claudia Ferenczi (20-75-8) 4x2 Super-flyweight contest

Unbeaten southpaw Carly Skelly did very well against an experienced opponent. From ringside, Kevin Satchell labelled Carly ‘a tiger’ following her aggressive performance.

Trained by Sid Sidankey and managed by Paul Stevenson, the 33-year-old southpaw from Litherland was always on the front foot looking to land combinations, but the centurion in front of her was awkward and clever to tie her up a lot.

Skelly, a full-time pediatric nurse and mother of two, who only started boxing aged 29, was victorious on points.

Karl Tierney (2-0) vs Ivan Bezverhyl (0-4) 4x3 Heavyweight contest

Another negative fight with the home fighter emerging as the winner on points.

Harry Woods (4-0) vs Kevin McCauley (15-205-4) 4x3 Super-middleweight contest

Woods was subject to a late replacement on the morning of the fight, as the very experienced McCauley stepped in.

The pair looked like they were from completely different weight classes as Woods towered over McCauley. Woods’ power looked far superior as he landed strong jabs, hooks and uppercuts throughout the contest.

In the second round, Woods had McCauley on the ropes and a clean left hook got through to daze the veteran momentarily.

The 24-year-old from Liverpool showed good accuracy and variation from distance, fluid movement, and was also busy and intelligent when working on the inside. His uppercuts were ultra successful.

Woods was able to practice a few moves in the four-rounder as he secured a comfortable points win, and McCauley was forced to work hard to earn his money.

Michael Hedges (2-0-1) vs Lee Connelly (7-54-5) 4x3 Lightweight contest

Hedges was the only one not to win his fight, not performing well enough and forced to settle for a draw.

Connor Butler (4-0-1) vs Brett Fidoe (13-60-5) 4x3 Super-bantamweight contest

Fidoe was perhaps the strongest away fighter on the show, but Butler boxed classy to win on points. He showed a maturity beyond his 22 years to deal with a live opponent who clearly came to win.

It was always nip and tuck, Butler was on the front foot and landed a nifty little uppercut with the right hand in the opener. He slipped shots from Fidoe and scored fantastic left hooks regularly.

Aptly nicknamed ‘The Threat’, Worcestershire’s Fidoe was always busy, dangerous and matched Butler for work rate, but the class and the clean landings always came from Connor.

Referee Steve Gray applauded the pair on the final bell and scored the high-paced, entertaining contest 39-37 to the ‘Top Dog’ Connor Butler.

Brad Strand (3-0) vs Taka Bembere (1-16) 4x3 Super-featherweight contest

Another stand-in opponent stepped in late to replace Ed Bjorkland in the form of Zimbabwean Taka Bembere from Oldham.

A Senior ABA champion in 2018, Strand had the most awkward opponent in front of him, who held his hands down low and even adopted a stance like Floyd Mayweather Jr. at times. His head movement made it difficult for Brad to land often, but the unbeaten prospect kept his composure and worked away regardless.

Despite his fast hands, Strand couldn’t connect to the head as much as he’d have liked, so he never neglected to work to the body as he sunk combinations in.

In the face of an elusive, tricky opponent, Brand still landed plenty and had a good learning fight, which he won every round on points at 40-36. It was one of the standout performances of the night.

Andrew Cain (5-0) vs Rafael Castillo (14-55-3) 6x3 Featherweight contest

Power-puncher Cain was brilliant and lit up the hall with his first round KO.

His style exudes confidence and excitement. He walks forward with his hands down low, moving his head and upper body to slip shots then jumps forward into smashing left and right hooks. His combinations and accuracy are devastating, Castillo had his guard up high, but it didn’t matter much because everything Cain hurled just crashed through the Nicaraguan’s guard.

It was a left hook to the head that ended the fight, as referee Steve Gray called time with just a few seconds left of the opener. No wonder Frank Warren rushed to get his signature just last month.

James Metcalf (21-0) vs Jan Balog (15-50-1) 6x3 Middleweight contest

It was all over in the first round as JJ Metcalf moved up to 21-0. Good start from the Commonwealth super-welterweight champion, landing heavily to cause Balog to not come back out for the second round.

Nick Ball (12-0) vs Ivan Godor (20-73-4) 6x3 Super-featherweight contest

The ‘Wrecking Ball’ ploughed through his opponent in just one round in a very one-sided affair.

After recently signing contracts with Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, Nick Ball came out explosively with right hooks, left hooks, devastating combinations to smash Godor all around the ring.

With a noticeable size difference, the smaller Ball crouched low to avoid shots going in and leapt forward, reaching upwards to rattle the head of Godor.

The Slovakian ‘Dragon’ was looking worn after just three minutes and decided he didn’t want anymore and retired on his stool.

Everton Red Triangle head coach Paul Stevenson praised his stable of talented fighters after the show, “It was a great show, great venue, great atmosphere, the crowd were on their feet and it finished with a bang!

“All the fighters showed improvements, they managed to put into practice things worked on in the gym, so it was great to see the progression.

“Next show will take place on May 2, followed by July 4; September 5; and November 14.”

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