Farrell dishes out a beating to Ocampo
Niall with trainer and father Paddy after his third pro win
NIALL Farrell, the former posterboy of Birmingham’s amateur scene, served up the best performance of his paid career at Planet Ice, Solihull, last night.
The lightweight turned up the heat at the rink to such an extent I feared the ice may melt during the painful lesson doled out to rugged Joshua “El Lobo” Ocampo.
The experienced Colombian hit the deck twice and I was surprised he continued after being sent sprawling by a left hook in the third.
He did, and managed to fiddle, clutch and spoil his way to the final bell, losing the four rounder by a comprehensive 40-34 margin.
Some bad news for future opponents – and Logan Paling is next, facing the force of nature that is Farrell at the Excelsior Club, Cannock, on September 28: Kingstanding’s Farrell, who peeled off his third straight win last night, is displaying more power and spite.
He is picking up new tricks very quickly.
Ocampo – second best in all departments – survived simply because he is one tough hombre. His features battered and bruised, the South American assured me afterwards: “I’m fine, just very hungry.”
If that was an invitation to buy the boxer a burger, it fell on deaf ears.
Farrell, aged 25, possesses an immaculate jab which everything is built on. Whether thrown short or long, it connects with lightning force. It is a power shot, not merely a range finder or points stealer. It must feel like an iron bar being smashed into your face.
Ocampo, who has tested very good domestic opposition, was softened with the shot before Farrell delivered withering blows to his body. They slammed against the visitor’s flanks.
Farrell dishes out punishment in a neutral corner
He sank to the canvas from a right in the second, complained the blow was low in a bid to buy time and gingerly rose at seven.
Worse was to follow in the third. A superb left hook counter dropped Ocampo like a, the punch sending him flat on his back. He scrambled up immediately and, to his credit, saw through the incessant storm of leather.
In 27 professional contests, very few have dragged Ocampo through the meat-grinder the way Farrell did.
At this stage in his career, Niall looks something special.
“The hard work happens in the gym,” Farrell informed me in the dressing room. “And nights like tonight shows the business we do in the gym is the right business.
“I’d like six fights this year, then push on next year.”
Logan Paling, another very tough customer, was present last night as Farrell effortlessly glided through the gears.
He’s a good, honest battler, but witnessing Farrell in full flow I drew the conclusion his chances of success on September 28 hover between slim and non-existent.
I think “slim” left town shortly after Niall detonated that left hook in the third.