Norman’s glory night is marred by tragedy

Dylan and Wayne Elcock (far left) after first round win over Fielding

FOR Dylan Norman, the high following the greatest triumph of his professional career was immediately replaced by devastation following news the woman who raised him collapsed and died after his biggest win.

Tragically, the Knowle prospect’s grandmother Della, who financed Dylan’s start in the paid game, passed away after attending Planet Ice, Solihull, last night where the 23-year-old gained spectacular first round victory in Tommy Owens’ Top Boxer tournament.

Della told those with her during the last moments how proud she was of her grandson, emotional Dylan told me.

And at the show the 62-year-old described Dylan’s crushing win over Louis Fielding as the best night of her life.

She was the boxer’s mother-figure.

“I’m lost for words,” Dylan said. “I dedicated last night’s win to her. Now I’m going to win the whole competition for her.

“She was an incredible lady. When I wanted to turn pro, I hadn’t got the money. She gave it me and said, ‘pay me back when you’re famous’.

“She had her (health) battles, but no one expected this.”

It seems almost callous to carry a detailed fight report following such devastating news, but Della would not want her son’s achievement to go unpublished.

Trained by outstanding Birmingham champion Wayne Elcock, Norman simply swamped Tamworth’s Fielding – a three time Midlands title challenger – under a storm of leather.

He has, in previous outings, threatened fireworks. Last night they ignited.

Fielding, aged 33, was down three times before the slaughter was stopped at two minutes 31 seconds of the round.

I hope Louis – one of the game’s true gentleman – now draws the curtain on his career. That was his second first round loss on the spin and he deserves the dignity of deciding to retire before the Board of Control makes that decision for him.

Norman – young and hungry - bristled burning bad intention from the opening bell. He was on a seek-and-destroy mission and simply steamed into his experienced opponent.

A right hand dropped Fielding to his knees, another again spilled the groggy veteran to the canvas.

The finish was spectacular. Norman’s left hook slammed Louis to the ropes, he catapulted off them and fell to the canvas.

Fielding was finished and referee Ryan Churchill signalled the inevitable.

Following the first inside victory of his five fight career, Dylan said: “They talk about my boxing, but no one can match me for front foot, aggression.

“I don’t train for opponents, I train for me.”

Norman is surely now the Top Boxer favourite and the tournament is opening up for him.

Next up is Michael Mooney, a man who is 39 and has over 100 bouts under his belt. I think he’d struggle to cope with Dylan’s fury and speed.

In the other semi-final, Black Country apprentice Ryan Griffiths faces DJ Tollerton in what looks a sure-fire war. I envisage two young boxers punching lumps out of each other.

Dylan Norman, fresh and unmarked, may, in the final, face an opponent drained by a gruelling contest.

What’s more, Dylan won’t be fighting for himself, he’ll be fighting for Nan Della.

That makes him a very hard man to beat.