Mykey suffers a last round scare on way to wide tune-up win

Mykey-Lee Broughton….given a count, but dominated

THAT’S what makes fighters so special…

A footballer can take his eye off the ball, can drop a clanger, yet redeem himself during the rest of the game. It is an embarrassment, not a catastrophe.

For a boxer, one split second lapse in concentration can conjure a career crisis, can send him sliding down the rankings.

On manager Anthony Manning’s show at the Eastside Rooms, Mykey-Lee Broughton, the Birmingham boxer with silk smooth moves, took his eye off the prize – and could’ve paid the price.

Against Brazilian Jonatas de Oliveria in a mark time four rounder, the 23-year-old let his guard drop for the only time in the fight, copped a left hook, was dropped and counted.

The visitor indulged in showboating in the final session, Mykey-Lee turned on the flashy stuff in response and was caught flush.

It was an isolated success for de Oliveria, a regular in British rings and an individual who always comes for a tear-up. He’s a greater handful than his 6-22 record suggested.

Broughton was up immediately, dusted himself off and boxed smartly down the stretch to take a 39-37 decision from referee Peter McCormack.

In truth, he dominated bar that one second.

The South American (10st) came with more ambition than expected. He wasn’t at the Birmingham venue to make up the numbers and took the action to Mykey-Lee (9st 9lbs).

“Mykey outboxed the kid for four rounds,” Manning insisted. “What he got was great experience – the kid pushed him and could punch. He was trying to play mind games to knock Mykey out of his stride.

“He came to win and told me he was up for it.”

In fairness to Broughton, it must be hard to get “up” for such assignments. With title fights beckoning, contenders can allow their focus to wander. Ring history has shown the perils of looking beyond the man in the opposite corner.

Mykey-Lee has lost only one of 13 – and that setback came in an epic Midlands title contest. Ahead on all scorecards, Scott Melvin pulled the fat out of the fire with final round stoppage.

Broughton has won five in a row since then. He is sharp and has blistering hand speed.

Manning added: “Mykey has listened to me and put his trust in me. He just needs the right fight. When the opportunity comes, we will grab it.

“An English title eliminator at lightweight or super-light – we are putting his name out there, he’s ready now.”