Melvin v Broughton: I stand by my words

Melvin’s hand is raised after the dramatic title fight stoppage

THE epic that was Scott Melvin’s final round victory over Mykey Lee-Broughton may be over, but the arguments appear to show little sign of subsiding.

Broughton’s manager, Anthony Manning, is demanding a rematch after his fighter was halted on the advice of the ringside doctor.

What happened in the ring at Planet Ice, Solihull, on Saturday will live long in the memory of those who witnessed the thrilling Midlands lightweight title fight.

Broughton – ahead on my card – was violently ill with only a minute-and-a-half remaining in the 10 rounder.

The action was stopped, Mykey was again sick while being examined by the doctor and the bout waved-off, sparking an angry reaction from Manning.

Broughton continued to be ill in the dressing room and, as a precaution, was taken to hospital.

Today, Manning issued a hard-hitting statement: “The end was unsatisfactory to everyone involved. Let’s be honest, who would want to win like that?

“So the only conclusion is for there to be a rematch. Let’s do this again or maybe the Melvin camp don’t want a rematch because they know their guy would get another beating.

“Everyone in that arena would pay to see the nominated bout of the year again. We will wait and see.”

In the fight’s immediate aftermath, Manning said: “I just saw so much difference in levels in Mykey. I saw him punching through Scott, landing some big, accurate shots, setting the tempo.

“Scott struggled to cope and the reason why Mykey wasn’t crowned the winner is because of the last minutes in the 10th and final round, which affected his hand being raised. I think you have to say Mykey last night was just too good.”

Anthony Manning, Birmingham’s newest promoter, is carving a reputation as a controversial character.

His shows bristle with razzmatazz. He is bringing something new to the table. He is a colourful addition to the game who has been helpful, amenable and polite when approached by this writer.

I will, as with all managers and promoters, support his bills and fighters: there are no hidden agendas or allegiances on this site.

But, having watched video of the last round, I’m baffled by the controversy that has been stirred by this memorable contest.

Let’s tackle the claims before they become cemented as urban myths. And l’ll preface them by stating I had Broughton three rounds ahead at the finish.

That is, frankly, immaterial.

Footage shows Broughton was subject to a sustained body attack in the 10th and vomited after a straight shot to the midriff.

Therefore, the ending, in my opinion, was caused by punches, which dilutes claims of an “unsatisfactory” conclusion. Other factors, such as fatigue, may have played a part, but Broughton’s dramatic physical reaction was ultimately caused by Melvin’s body blows.

Slipping on the canvas and spraining your ankle is “unsatisfactory”, the Melvin-Broughton ending, in my humble opinion, was not.

A host of historic contests have seen boxers grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Such bouts have added immensely to the game’s appeal.

Was Joe Louis’ late destruction of Billy Conn “unsatisfactory”? Was Julian Jackson’s KO of Herol Graham “unsatisfactory”?

No, they were dramatic. And that is how we should remember Melvin-Broughton.

Now to claims Melvin was outclassed.

Again, I disagree with the terminology. Mykey Lee-Broughton was a revelation and fought magnificently, but to outclass someone is to dominate every minute of every round, with very little coming back.

If that had happened on Saturday night, I would’ve written about a rather dull, one-sided affair.

Melvin was always highly competitive and landing shots of his own: he toughed it out. That is why the bout is being considered for “fight of the year” honours.

Should it have been stopped?

Absolutely. No question. No argument. You cannot allow a man who has, on more than one occasion, been ill in the ring to fight on. The fact he continued to be ill after the contest endorsed the decision.

Broughton – no matter how long was left on the clock – was in no state to continue. Surely, we are all agreed on that.

A boxer’s well being is paramount and vomiting is one of the first signs of brain injury, which, thankfully, was not the case at Planet Ice.

There is no controversy surrounding the stoppage.

I have read the criticism of my fight report.

Pat Black posted:  “I totally disagree with this editorial.

“There was nothing gruesome about the end, how many of us have worked so hard in the gym that you throw up?”

This was not the gym. And if you “throw up” after shipping a body shot in sparring, I would hope the session is immediately halted.

Mr Black has taken exception to the description “gruesome”. I am again baffled. Would not any right-minded individual consider the sight of an individual publicly discharging blood-red vomit in a boxing ring “gruesome”?

Mr Black adds: “The truth is that Mykey outboxed Scott from the start, Mykey did a number on him and totally dominated the fight.”

In the annals of boxing no one who suffered title fight stoppage defeat has been described as “doing a number” on his opponent.

The Melvin-Broughton fight will be remembered for what it was – an absolute barnstormer.

And that’s something both camps should take immense pride in. And, yes, I’d like to see a re-run.

But I don’t agree the Board of Control have a moral obligation to order a re-match.