Southpaw fight night delivers knockout entertainment

Hundreds of fight fans packed into the ballroom of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman Friday 9 Oct. as the venue was transformed into a professional boxing arena for Southpaw Series 2.

An entertaining night ended in disappointment for the home crowd as previously undefeated local fighter Tommy “Sensational” Smith was beaten in the seventh round of the main event by Argentine fighter Alan Ponce.

Smith, a promising featherweight, had trained many of the local fighters on the undercard and had strong vocal support following his emphatic win in Southpaw Series 1 at Grand Old House last year.

The 23-year-old was stopped in the seventh round as Ponce quieted the crowd in the main event, one of three pro bouts on the card.

Earlier in the night, Colombian Jose Escobar had overpowered Anthony Atkinson, who hung on gamely against a physically powerful opponent before being stopped in the third.

Londoner Jake Henty was too good for visiting Venezuelan Alonzo Marino, who threw in the towel midway through the second round.

“It was a relatively easy fight,” Henty reflected afterwards. “I had to deliver.”

White-collar bouts serve up thrills

On the undercard, a law firm partner, a chef, a bus driver and a fitness instructor were among the amateur boxers to step into the ring for a series of entertaining white-collar bouts.

Blayze Wood and Joe Hughes set a high standard in the opening bout of the night, with Wood victorious by unanimous points decision.

Campbells partner Paul Kennedy arrived in the ring next to a soundtrack from the House of Pain and shouts of “PK” from friends in the crowd. The fleet-footed fighter took a unanimous points decision over Chris Goddard.

Rob Burke put in an impressive display to take the third bout. His opponent Abraham Powery stayed composed in the face of the onslaught, his pony-tail swinging as he ducked and weaved to skillfully steer clear of a barrage of punches.

Osmond “OJ” Lynch, a school and tour bus driver and personal trainer, and Nigerian lawyer Onyema Ugorji duked it out in one of the fights of the night.

Lynch almost ended the contest with a right cross to the head seconds before the final bell. Ugorji survived the standing count but went down on points.

“I really enjoyed the experience – stepping into the ring for the first time. My partner was the best dancing partner I could wish for and I am excited to do it again,” Lynch said after as the two men embraced backstage.

“We’re still friends. We are brothers,” he added.

Ugorji was relishing the experience, despite the defeat.

“It was very nerve wracking at the beginning, but the crowd really got me going. Hearing everyone chanting my name, I was buzzing, the adrenaline kicked in. OJ is a strong guy – I felt every punch right through to my legs.”

The final amateur fight of the night was the closest.

Eric McField was giving up a significant disadvantage in height and weight to Max Wilson.

But he made his experience tell, counter punching from the ropes, with surgical jabs.

“I was very nervous about the split decision. When I heard that I thought I might have lost.”

He said he had to adjust his tactics and stay calm against a tough opponent.

“He had 50 or 60 pounds over me. I had to try to keep him at bay. His corner had a game plan and he fought with intelligence.”

There was a unanimous decision, however, about the success of the night. The Southpaw Series 2, which followed a similar night at Grand Old House last year, was an event to remember.