Birmingham bruised in Box Off semi-final

Poster for Saturday’s night of thrills and spills

IT was, from all accounts, a stand-out occasion, but the Box Off semi-final will be one that holds few pleasant memories for Birmingham fighters taking part.

And the crowd that gathered at Telford International Centre on Saturday for this brave collision of showbiz and the fight game was disappointing.

Yet the action was dramatic, the atmosphere whipped up by the big names backing Box Off – Birmingham rapper Jaykae, former world champs Ricky Hatton and Johnny Nelson and TV personality Tom Skinner.

As Jaykae later posted, it was a “bad boy day” with “bad boy” fights.

The event’s template was mouthwatering. Four teams represented four cities – each team consisting of four boxers –  competing against each other in four rounders.

At stake for the boxers was a place in the final and a chance to grab points for their city.

Each team is championed by a big name. Jaykae is torch-carrier and captain of Birmingham, dubbed The Tribe. Hatton is captain of Manchester, Nelson represents Leeds, Skinner is flying London’s flag.

On Saturday at Telford the Second City was decidedly second best gaining no points, while London lead the league table with 14. Both light-middle Kay Jiminez and junior-lightweight Sam Pikire were stopped. Light-heavyweight Jackson Osagie drew and, under the competition’s regulations, a panel assessed whether he or opponent Robbie Chapman should go through.

Osagie lost out and was far from happy. Frankly, he was devastated.

At super-bantam Telford debutant Tanya Ledger was outpointed by Manchester based Pole Sylwia Doligala, who is now 3-1-1.

Kay Jiminez…suffered his first defeat as a pro

Jiminez, born in Syria and fight based at McCracken’s gym, was stopped in the second by Tottenham’s Michael Likalu, who has now won three of five. That was 30-year-old Jiminez’ first loss in four pro outings.

He was dropped twice, the second time heavily. Kay made it to his feet, but was gone.

“Big Ego” Pikire may have come away with his big ego dented, but he can take positives from the performance against Darryl Tapfuma, representing London. He matched his immensely strong opponent until the fourth when fatigue set in.

Pikire with this writer…fought gallantly, but lost in the last

After taking heavy head shots, the referee stepped in with only 30 seconds remaining. Sam has now lost two of five. Tapfuma is much better than his 3-13-2 ledger.

There was no argument about the stoppage from Sam’s manager Jon Pegg. He said: “He ran out of gas. He gave everything he’d got and was actually pushing Tapfuma back.

“He gave it his all and the referee timed the stoppage just right. I thought whoever won the last round would win the fight and Tapfuma was definitely winning the last round.”

Osagie and Chapman was a desperately close, nip-and-tuck affair. Jackson was his usual dangerous, free-swinging self, while the Londoner, who has won 11 of 49 (six draws), produced the better boxing.

In my opinion, the idea of letting independent observers decide who goes through in the event of a draw is unsatisfactory. How about a fourth “stand-by” points scoring judge, called in when needed?

Everyone agreed the fights were top-notch and deserved greater public support.

Ricky Hatton said: “Brilliant night, brilliant fights, bang on.”

 Johnny Nelson said: "The matches were all very exciting, I have not enjoyed a night of boxing like that for quite a while."