Irish Boxing

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McCloskey Victorious + Frampton Comes Alive



Story by Bam Bam / Photo: Steve Wellings |

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It may have taken almost eleven rounds and extended the Dungiven man far more that he would have liked or expected, but Paul McCloskey overcame the challenge of Giuseppe Lauri with a dramatic late knockout to retain his EBU Light Welterweight crown and extend his record to 21-0.

McCloskey was made to work far harder than he may have been expected to by seasoned campaigner Lauri. The Italian used all the tools of his trade to restrict McCloskey and make him box out of his comfort zone. McCloskey suffered a cut over his right eye in the 8th round which appeared to cause him some discomfort but it was the stuttering and scrappy nature of his performance up until that point that had the usually slick southpaw worried.

McCloskey had started the fight well enough and looked to be establishing a nice early rhythm. However, it did not take Lauri long to draw his opponent into the kind of contest that far more suited the challenger. Lauri and his corner frequently protested to the referee about use of the head from the champion and referee, Robin Dolpierre, began to warn McCloskey almost every time the two came in close contact.

McCloskey, though, was performing well short of his usually high standards and was being caused far more trouble by his opponent than many anticipated. The champion struggled to find his range and began to smother his own work. He was continuing to outwork the challenger in the majority of the rounds but it was far from clear cut as to what the outcome would be if the contest went to the judge’s scorecards.

McCloskey did appear to be in control but whatever cushion he may have felt he had going into the final rounds of the fight was eroded when Lauri’s theatrics led to McCloskey being deducted a point for use of the head in the 10th round. After an innocuous coming together Lauri spun away appealing to the referee and the official took the bait and docked the defending champion a point.

McCloskey appeared to be disconcerted by the deduction and came out second best in the action that followed probably dropping a 10-8 round and opening the door for Lauri to perhaps shade a decision. He wasn’t to know at the time he still held a comfortable lead on all three judges’ cards heading into the final couple of rounds.

There was a growing tension around the Kings Hall as the crowd willed their man on to find some of the form that had seen McCloskey climb the rankings and claim the EBU crown. Little did they know that the end was nigh. And when that end did come it came in most spectacular fashion.

It was ironic that, after his constant protestations to the referee throughout the bout, Lauri was hoisted by his own petard. The fighters were working in close when the Italian held McCloskey around the back of the head and hit him twice after the break was called. The referee separated the two fighters and Lauri offered a conciliatory glove but the champion was keen to get back to work.

The referee called the fighters to box on but Lauri hadn’t refocused himself and left McCloskey a window of opportunity. Through that window McCloskey crashed a massive right hand that decked his opponent with devastating and, immediately obvious, fight-ending effect. The Kings Hall erupted and the man they call Dudey celebrated with a mixture of delight and relief as his opponent was finally taken out as the referee waved off the contest with the count already at 8.

McCloskey finished the fight drained and badly marked around his right eye but still in possession of his EBU title. It was a performance that showed some of the ring rust that can be expected after seven months out of the ring but even taking that into consideration it was below par from McCloskey. Further prolonged inactivity is not an option from here on for a man who turns 31 in August. If he is to rise to world title level he will need to keep his skill set as sharp as possible and regular action is a must.

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On the undercard fast rising super bantamweight, Carl Frampton, made his hometown debut against tough and durable Ian Bailey. The heavy handed Tigers Bay banger brought a sizeable support contingent to cheer him on in his hometown debut.

Frampton has been kept busy since turning pro last year, and under the management and tutelage of Barry McGuigan and Gerry Storey he had racked up a 5-0 (3ko) record as well as some top class sparring ahead of the contest. However, it is time in the ring against live opponents that Frampton now needs and Bailey provided him with just what he needed.

Frampton went on the offensive in the 1st round and looked to push his opponent back. He did have success early on but was inclined to stay engaged with his opponent a little too long as he eagerly looked for gaps in Baileys defence. It led to Frampton taking a couple of unnecessary shots, but it was clear right from the off that Bailey did not possess the power to trouble the Belfast native. Frampton looked to control the action and began to reel off some powerful looking left hooks.

In the 2nd round the pattern continued as Bailey gamely looked to plug away and find gaps while Frampton continued to dictate the pace and the action. The first signs of genuine class from Frampton came towards the end of the session when he led Bailey onto him, drawing a lead right that missed by some considerable distance before unleashing a beautiful flurry of counter punches. Frampton’s hand speed was eye catching and the manner in which he put his punches together was top class.

From the 3rd round onward Frampton’s best work was done when counter punching. He still had a menace when he went on the front foot, and it did looks as though his natural inclination was to continuously take the fight to his opponent, but his counterpunching was superb as he constantly induced Bailey to miss before firing off a volley off punches.

The left hook looks to be Frampton’s money punch and Bailey did well to stand up to what was dished out to him. On more than one occasion Bailey was rocked by Frampton’s power but he held up well under pressure and provided Frampton with the ring time he needed.

Frampton did go in search of the knockout in the last round and he rocked Bailey back and forth with a number of heavy blows, but his opponent dug his heels in and was determined to make it to the final bell. When the bell came Frampton’s hand was raised in victory as he secured his sixth consecutive professional win by a margin of 60-55. It was a good learning fight for a prospect that has a lot of people talking already. Frampton has fought three times this year so far and will probably look to fit in as many fights again before the years end if possible.

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Elsewhere on the undercard Lurgan based Stephen Haughian dropped a clear points decision to former Lonsdale belt holder, Kevin McIntyre, in a Celtic welterweight title clash. Haughian was outmuscled and outgunned by an opponent who looked to be physically a far bigger man. Cut from the 4th round onward Haughian struggled to pin his man down. He did have some success when going forward but was also getting picked off at the same time. McIntyre seemed to have more zip on his punches as the fight wore on and he controlled the action for the most part. McIntyre got the nod 98-93, 97-93, 97-94.

Lightweight, Andy Murray, kept active with an emphatic win over Jon Baguley. Murray felt his man out in the opening session before launching a vicious body attack in the 2nd round. Baguley could not keep his man at bay and visibly began to wilt under the ferocious pressure Murray was applying. Time after time vicious left and right hooks found their target under Baguley’s elbows and he was back pedalling when the fight was stopped with twenty seconds left in the round.

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Other results:

Ciaran Healy W Pts6 Harry Matthews

Luis Garcia W TKO5 Nathan King

Gavin Rees W TKO3 Sam Amaoko

Jamie Conlan W Pts4 Delroy Spencer

 

I sent an invite to all my friends to join!

This bull**** about no money doesnt wash... If they can afford to sent the mutant over they can afford a couple hundred on top for some on decent!!!

 

cheers nutter. saves me leaving the link up and getting my ass banned!

 

i have no problem with marty.lads will barnes stay am and aim for london or go pro

 

actually his performance in the final show was much better than the previous shows.

 

He posts on ESB as "paddyb", maybe he can answer it himself.

 

PRECIOUS

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paddy will defo stay amateur til the olympics! even though he'd love a crack at the pro's the mad ****er

 

Always two sides... :think

 

How's it going lads? thanks for all the good feed back from the oul scrap and I hope you enjoyed it. If anyone got any footage I would love to see it

 

Oh and by the way do forgive me for the lack of maximum banjo. God knows I tried but he was one tough little mother *****!

 

He looked like he had a thick skull alright. I expected him to go in the last round. **** knows you bounced him around a fair bit! It was a good workout though. Last thing you need is a lad thats just going to keel over as soon as you hit him a good stiff dig.

I was very surprised by how fast your hands were to be honest. The counter punching was super. It caught me by surprise to be perfectly honest. Looked like you enjoyed yourself anyway. I hope you get out again soon

 

You nearly had him especially in the first - one more follow up shot and he would have been finished. Class performance.:good
When you out again and where?

 

Any idea when you will be out next?

 

Cheers lads. Not sure when I will be out next but Ill talk to bazza this week and see what's on the cards. See bam bam I dont mind boxing on the back foot and countering if I have to. I'm no one trick pony kids haha