Danny would’ve won in six, says Cleary after gory title battle

Danny Quartermaine…he and Jack Bateson must do battle again

THE description “bloodbath” is almost always an exaggeration when attached to anything other than a warzone. Some heinous crimes fit the bill.

However, it’s a fitting epitaph for the sickening conclusion of Danny Quartermaine’s brief, claret splattered encounter with Jack Bateson in the bill topper at Sheffield’s Park Community Arena on Saturday.

Heads clashed, Leamington Spa’s Quartermaine suffered an ugly gash over his left eye, blood pumped from Bateson’s scalp like some X rated slasher movie and referee Howard Foster’s once blue shirt was stained pink.

The only thing missing from the scene was a chainsaw.

The hotly anticipated clash, with Quartermaine’s IBF and WBO super-featherweight titles on the line, was over in two rounds on the ringside doctor’s advice, a technical draw declared.

In truth, his advice wasn’t needed. It simply couldn’t go on.

Bateson’s wound was particularly grotesque, blood spurting from the wound.

Edwin Cleary, the respected trainer who has guided Danny through 13 fights without a loss, said: “In all the years of boxing and all the time as a doorman, it’s the first time I’ve seen that. It’s the first time I’ve seen blood shoot a foot high.”

I can recall a similar injury. In 1977 at Manor Place Baths, Walworth, welterweights Dave Proud and Johnny Pincham were both grotesquely gashed. Pincham’s cut lip sprayed blood in an arc.

Saturday’s clash ended too early to detect an outcome although it appeared fans would be treated to a cracking contest.

Cleary believes his man was on course for a mid-way stoppage and said: “We’re devastated because it was such a perfect camp. It’s a shame because it will be very, very hard for us to replicate that camp. I thought Jack was having to fight really hard very early and fighting Danny’s fight.

“It was just simmering. For me, I think Danny would’ve got him around the sixth round. He wasn’t even in first gear. He was setting Jack up and at the end of the first said, ‘he’s falling for everything.

“When you slow it down you can see Jack has come underneath and caught Danny on the eye with his head. Jon (cutsman Jon Pegg) sealed Danny’s cut well and I think it would’ve been alright.”

Quartermaine also suffered cuts in his previous fight, a June title defence against James Chereji.

And it’s worth remembering that, in the run-up to the fight, Bateson voiced concerns about heads coming together.

The pair must now do it again, with Cleary believing the rematch may happen in April.

“One hundred per cent they’ll meet again,” he said. “Jack’s a fighting man, Danny’s a fighting man. I think Jack’s best tactic has to be to keep it long. Getting into a fight with Danny is insane. Jack had bumps all over his face on Saturday night.

“They are two honest pros, two good guys who shook hands before and after the fight.”

Izzy Asif, boss of show promoters GBM, pledged: “We’ve got to see it again. We will get this fight remade in the new year. I know how much both of them wanted it. I’m gutted for the boys but these things happen, that’s the nature of boxing.

“It was shaping up to be a great contest. We will see them in the ring again in 2025 and in the meantime I am glad to see both fighters go back safe to their families for Christmas.”