O’Toole dominant in debut points victory

Sian O’Toole (left) celebrates after defeating Greatorex

FORMER celebrated amateur Sian O’Toole certainly enjoyed her first moments in the professional spotlight. She positively bathed in the back-slapping and boisterous cheering.

Long after the final bell had sounded on her whitewash, six round win over Amy Greatorex last night (Saturday), O’Toole was still in her fight kit mingling with supporters inside Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms, son Michael in her arms.

“I’m buzzing, I’m over the moon,” the Droitwich 24-year-old told me. “There were a lot of nerves. It’s very different, it’s just you in the spotlight.”

Sian thanked BCB’s Errol Johnson and Paul Mann for preparing her for pro boxing’s long haul. “They’ve show patience and given me the technique.”

Cradling two-year-old Michael, she added: “I’m doing this for him. I want to be a world champion.”

Sian’s partner, former world amateur champ Frankie Gavin, shouted instructions from ringside throughout the bout.

When the dust had settled, he said: “Sian showed her pedigree today. I’m her harshest critic and I’m very happy. She did our son proud.”

Greatorex (9st 5lbs 8oz), who lost for the fourth time on the spin, simply lacked the skill and ring savvy to spoil Sian’s big night. The Chesterfield boxer attempted to rally in the last, but dropped every session, referee Chris Dean’s 60-54 card tallying with mine.

A maths teacher by day, O’Toole (9st 3lbs 9oz) went through the gears, spearing Greatorex with rapier jabs to head and body in the early rounds.

The visitor was stung by a right in the second and also took a heavy hook to the body.

By the third, O’Toole was letting the punches flow, hitting with more spite and bringing left hooks into play.

My notes for the fifth state “O’Toole getting a little too involved”, yet the aggression was understandable. Whether she boxed long or worked at close quarters, Sian had the upper hand.

O’Toole really put her foot on the pedal in the last and received a noisy ovation when the bell sounded.

You never forget your pro debut and in the aftermath of her first win, O’Toole appeared hell bent on making as many memories as she could.