Sean McComb overcomes first-round knockdown to defeat Ben Crocker
Sean McComb decisions Ben Crocker after getting dropped in the opener
GBM: ON THE EDGE aired live and exclusively worldwide on the DAZN network and took place at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena on Saturday, September 27.
Gradus Kraus vs Scott Forrest
Gradus Kraus (8-0, 7 KO’s) hacked through Scott Forrest (7-2, 4 KO’s) with such relentless ferocity in Sheffield on Saturday night that when the final bell sounded, the arena audience didn’t know whether to applaud or feel relieved.
Forrest was a step up in competition for Kraus on paper, yet the young Dutchman tore him to shreds with composed ease. Unbelievably, Kraus - a light-heavyweight - had also stepped up to cruiserweight to make the bout happen and was two stone (12kgs) lighter than the hulking Forrest.
Things nearly ended in the very first round when a crushing Kraus left hand felled Forrest. The teak-tough Scotsman regained his feet and re-entered the fray, only to endure a wood-chipper of a six-round beating.
The 18-minute performance was a slick but brutal showcase for Peter Fury’s Dutch protégé, with the final two rounds in particular being tough viewing for anyone not named Kraus.
Kraus’ bout preceded a main event contest which saw Belfast’s Sean McComb (20-2, 5 KO’s) re-stake his claim to being a super-lightweight world title contender.
Sean McComb vs Ben Crocker
Belfast man Sean McComb survived a first-round scare of his own to outbox and outfox defending champion Ben Crocker (14-1-1, 2 KO’s) and take the IBF European Super-Lightweight Championship from the Welshman.
The win will see him enter the top ten of the IBF rankings and enter his name into a world title contender conversation which will have him potentially just one win away from challenging reigning IBF champion Richardson Hitchins next year.
“I’ve been talking to [GBM promoter] Izzy Asif about potentially doing a show in Belfast in February or March next year. Then I’d like a world title fight later in the year. I think [my Irish rival] Pierce O’Leary is also capable of winning a world title, so maybe you see us in an all-Irish world title fight in 2026. I think a clash between us is inevitable.”
Tysie Gallagher vs Ellie Hellewell
Tysie Gallagher (10-2) retained her British, Commonwealth and WBO International Super-Bantamweight Championships with a polished performance against the previously undefeated Ellie Hellewell (7-1).
She dedicated her ring career to her mother-in-law Diane Cleary, who was murdered in January, and said she now hopes for a world title shot next. "It's been a tough year, so getting that win is great. I was very disciplined and I'm excited for what's next," she said.
Gallagher called for a showdown with unified world champion Ellie Scotney next, or a long-awaited clash with domestic rival Ramla Ali.
GBM: ON THE EDGE Results
Sean McComb def.. Ben Crocker - (96-93 all cards)
10x3 IBF European Super-Lightweight
Gradus Kraus vs. Scott Forrest (60-53)
8x3 Cruiserweight
Tysie Gallagher def. Ellie Hellewell (98-93, 97-93 and 97-94)
10x2 British, Commonwealth & WBO International Super-Bantamweight Championships
Shakiel Thompson def. Grant Dennis (KO, R2)
8x3 Middleweight
Edward Hardy def. Jose Manuel Perez (PTS, 6/6)
6x3 Super-Bantamweight Contest
