Berry’s perfect body shot KOs Mexican

Berry has his hand raised after dramatic victory at The Excelsior

IN the dressing room, following his body-breaking demolition at the hands of Nyall Berry, Mexican Hector Avila Lozano, rubbed the right side of his rib-cage and told me: “Like Chavez!”

The comparison with fellow countryman – and all-time great - Julio Cesar Chavez may be a little over-the-top, but there’s no doubt the Mexican maestro would’ve been mightily pleased with the finishing shot.

On Scott Murray’s superb Excelsior Club show last night (Thursday), Chelmsley Wood’s Berry delivered the single, withering left hook under Lozano’s elbow shortly after the bell to start the second.

I heard the crack of the whiplash hook from my table at the back of the packed Premier Suite, Cannock, I heard Lozano’s gasp.

His swarthy features creased in pain, Lozano fell stricken to the canvas for referee Ryan Churchill’s full count – and it was some time before he regained his feet.

That peach of a punch paralysed the Latin fighter. He was expected to be a test, yet was trounced in 20 seconds of the second.

In the quiet dressing room, the 25-year-old smiled and issued a quick-fire sentence in Mexican. Lozano’s trainer, acting as interpreter, told me: “Hector says he’s been hit to the body before, but not like that.”

“Like Chavez,” Lozano repeated.

The dramatic victory on a night packed with drama, represents a statement by Berry. Last night, in a venue packed with boxing VIPs, the 23-year-old crossed the line from big puncher to sensational puncher.

Yes, Lozano came with a record of only one win in eight (one draw), but he’s tough, game, durable and, what’s more, comes to win.

I watched him against fellow unbeaten prospect Gully Powar last April and he performed commendably. Lozano swapped body shots with the Wolverhampton star and fiercely contested every minute of the four rounder.

He adopted a similar slugging approach to his scheduled six rounder with Berry – and was starched.

Nyall told me afterwards. “That last punch…it felt as if my fist had gone into his body. I knew I’d got him after the first.

“I’d love to fight for a Midlands title, but maybe I’m beyond that now.”

There is a downside to such a dynamic performance. Finding fighters to face Berry has proved increasingly difficult – at Midlands title level, nigh on impossible. Suitable opposition may now avoid Nyall like the proverbial plague.

The young man has the capacity to not only beat them, but hurt them.

Manager Jon Pegg said: “We couldn’t get anyone to share a ring with Nyall for the Midlands title if we’d hired a coach and horses. Now, we couldn’t do it with a rocket ship.”

Lozano (9st 3lbs 2oz), as in his previous battles on these shores, elected to fight fire with fire – and was badly scorched.

He attempted to hit back when stung and valiantly rallied after a left and right hook rattled his ribs in the first. Berry (9s 3lbs), poker faced and all business, landed with a lovely right uppercut on the bell.

He delivered the coup de gras soon after the sound of the bell to start the second died down, my sole notes for the short session stating: “Peach of a shot – KO.”

That was before Mr Churchill began his count.

Afterwards Berry told me: “I have no complaints about my performance. I was patient, my jab was nice.”

He is a man of few words.

What a line-up…world champs Anthony Crolla, Barry Jones, Ray Mancini

The showing added even more zest to a marvellous evening, an evening that had everything. The Excelsior’s opening night was very good, the second instalment exceptional.

The main event was packed with drama and fans mingled with such luminaries as Ray Mancini, Anthony Crolla, Richie Woodhall, Barry Jones, Spike O’Sullivan – who still looks every inch like an extra from Hollywood epic Gangs of New York, Martin Rogan and Steve Bunce.

All chatted happily with fans. Crolla, Rogan and O’Sullivan spoke to me, with interest, about the fightcity.uk website. That showed class from genuinely nice, warm individuals.

As I left the Premier Suite after a thrilling night, only one concern surfaced: How does Scott Murray top that?