Danny makes a real statement on TV bill

Danny Quartermaine…everything went right at Resorts World

RED-HOT Leamington prospect Danny Quartermaine provided the perfect performance on his first major televised show.

The talented junior-lightweight halted tough Mexican Christian Lopez Flores in the fourth and final round of their Saturday night tussle at Resorts World Arena.

What’s more, Danny’s army of chanting supporters ensured an electric atmosphere early doors at the stadium. Boxers who step through the ropes for the first contest of a long show usually perform before rows of empty seats. They fight in silence.

Quartermaine enjoyed a carnival atmosphere.

I’m sure the decibel level registered with Ben Shalom, head of promotional outfit Boxxer who staged the massive event.

At 25 and with nine straight wins under his belt, Danny’s future burns very brightly. He’s taken a big step towards a major promotional deal.

As he said on Sunday morning: “I think I made the perfect statement. Today I’m back home. Last night I was fighting on a major show at Resorts World. It’s surreal.”

Flores has faced a string of top British prospects in his 14-25-2 career. None had managed to stop him, until whirlwind Danny stepped forward.

As the Warwickshire boxer predicted beforehand, Flores came to fight. He didn’t hide, he didn’t spoil, he elected to trade – and that proved his downfall.

Whenever Quartermaine landed, the Mexican attempted to fire back. It was brave, exciting, but foolhardy. Danny dropped him twice in the third and again in the last.

With just two seconds left in the contest, referee Ryan Churchill decided enough was enough.

Quartermaine said: “I’m over the moon. Because it was a four rounder, I didn’t expect to get the stoppage. Good lads hadn’t stopped him, so I knew it would be a hell of a statement to make.

“I spoke to them (Boxxer) afterwards and they were very happy. They knew the numbers – I sold over 300 tickets and many more bought them on-line through my link.

“They were over-the-moon with the numbers. And Ben Shalom seemed genuinely shocked by the noise fans made. They brought an atmosphere.

“The fact Flores didn’t come to cover up, hide away and just survive the distance made it such a good fight. He wanted to trade.

“Afterwards, he and his coach were very complimentary.  They said, ‘we want you to be European champion so we can say we boxed you’.”

West Midlands fight fans have been excited about Danny Quartermaine for some time. On Saturday, his march towards national fame began – and began with a bang.