Hard to see where Raza goes from here

Raza Hamza…British title dream destroyed in under 30 seconds

IT’S hard to see a way back to British title contention for Birmingham’s Raza Hamza following his “blink and you missed it” defeat to Nathaniel Collins last night.

In fact, I’m not sure where the 31-year-old goes from here after suffering one of the quickest losses in the history of the Lonsdale Belt.

At Bethnal Green’s York Hall, Hamza succumbed after just 24 seconds – and that included referee Kevin Parker’s count.

Southpaw Collins, with his British and Commonwealth belts on the line, landed only two punches: a probing left to the body and the looping right hook that sent Raza to the floor.

Afterwards, the champion said: “That’s knockout of the year for you!”

Promoter Frank Warren enthused: “Perfect punch, perfect power.”

I disagree with both of them. It seemed an almost lazy shot, and didn’t appear to be thrown with destructive force.

I also disagree with the commentary team who stated the hook landed on the point of Hamza’s chin.

It seemed to catch the challenger high on the side of the jawline.

Wherever it landed is immaterial. The shot sent Raza tumbling and he rose too late. He was certainly dazed, mouthing “I’m alright” as a medic attempted to administer oxygen in the corner.

There are those who will say “anyone can be caught cold”, but at this level they shouldn’t be. That’s why fighters warm-up.

I felt Raza (9st) looked pensive during the pre-fight announcements, while Collins (8st 13lbs) was focused and fired-up.

Hamza entered the contest with a very respectable record of just one defeat in 19, yet those statistics paint a misleading picture.

His career, stretching over seven years, has been stop-start. He was untested until facing former British title challenger James Beech last December and lost that one on points.

Beech went on to be stopped by Collins.

Raza has always been a reporters dream, he interviews well, he talks a good fight. I’m not sure what he can say about his performance or future in the sport after last night.

In the build-up, Hamza made much of the fact he’d switched his training base to the Rhondda Valley. He had removed himself from home comforts and, in his words, had returned to the “A,B,C and D” of boxing.

It made little difference. He was blown away by Collins. Worse still, he was embarrassed by Collins.

Last night was Hamza’ chance and I can’t see him getting another one.