Top Boxer - the road to tournament glory
Jag Purewal…spirited display, but fell at first hurdle
Taylor Greig wpts Jag Purewal (unanimous)
The shorter, three rounds distance did not suit Selly Oak’s Purewal, unbeaten in four going into the contest.
He spent too much time on the ropes in an attempt to lure Derby’s Greig (1-0 before the night) onto counters – and paid the price. Three rounds is not enough time to set traps.
Taylor grinned as he landed southpaw lefts to the body and, in the second, crunching rights got through. To his credit, Purewal attempted to storm back in the last, but, by then, Greig was so far ahead that he indulged in showboating.
Brett Egan wpts Connor Meanwell (unanimous)
Tall Egan, from Birmingham, oozed class in the opener, dictating against a Nottinghamshire opponent who attempted to bull forward throughout.
Connor (1-0 before the show) simply walked on to jabs, stiff left hooks to the body and sweeping right uppercuts. And Egan (3-0) showed savvy to ease off the gas in the last when the bout was in the bag.
Costello has his hand raised after comprehensive victory over Loach
Danny Costello wpts Tommy Loach (unanimous)
Nuneaton’s Costello dominated, repeatedly catching Loach with booming right hands. By the second the West Brom fighter’s face was reddened and blood spilt from his nose.
Costello, who brought an army of fans to the venue, set a fast tempo and capped a fine performance with a wicked left hook in the last. Loach (3-0-1) deserves credit for manfully taking his lumps.
Itutu allowed Stevens to outwork him
Kirk Stevens wpts Dan Itutu (split)
Strong and powerful, Derby’s Itutu (2-0) was the author of his own downfall. He spent too long in corners and on ropes and pinned way too much hope on single right hands.
He had some success, but the low workrate allowed Stevens to scuffle and steal points. The bout was an appetiser for the shocks Stevens was about to register.
SEMI-FINALS
Egan on the attack in his opening bout
Taylor Greig wrsf 1 Brett Egan
Disaster for Egan who looked so sharp in the quarters. Quite simply, he failed to fathom Greig’s southpaw left hook and paid a heavy price.
A sweet counter dropped Brett early. He rose immediately for a standing count, but was seconds away from defeat.
Greig nailed him again with the left, then unleashed a barrage of shots that nearly sent Egan through the ropes. The Brummie rose on disobedient legs, but the ref called a halt at two minutes 39 seconds of the opener.
Stevens looks for openings against Costello
Kirk Stevens wpts Danny Costello (split)
Within seconds, joy turned to heartbreak for Costello. He had his hand raised at the end of a desperately close affair, only to be informed seconds later that a mistake had been made.
The thunderous look on Costello’s face as he left the ring was understandable – and merited.
I had Costello snatching it – just, but the Nuneaton lad didn’t display the same intensity shown in the quarters. The energy levels of all competitors understandably dipped.
Stevens – heart as big as a bucket – lost the second on my card and shipped a big left. He stormed back in the last and that sterling effort proved decisive.
Calm before the storm….Greig and Egan look for openings
Danny Costello after his opening win
Calm before the storm…the eight welters
PICTURES by JULIE LOCKLEY