Mutley to fight on at light welterweight

West Brom's Young Mutley has vowed to fight on after his recent semi final loss in Prizefighter The Light Welterweights and is going to campaign back at the 10 stone light welterweight limit where he believes he is strongest. Mutley will also Keep original trainer Jason Shinfield as main man in his corner (after bringing him back for Prizefighter) alongside Errol Johnson with both working together.

The 33 year old ex British champion beat Barrie Jones in the quarter final but then lost a close fight to old foe Colin Lynes (Lynes stopped Mutley in 2007 for the European strap) which included a rather dubious knockdown being given against Mutley.

Picture courtesy of theprizefighterseries.com/Matchroom Sport Ltd

Saville's suffers shock defeat

Friday 18th September 2009
Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

This past Friday night First Team promotions hosted a five fight card billed as "Big Bother".

Local favourite Steve "Bomber" Saville was left fuming after losing a 96-95 decision to awkward Youssef Al Hamidi for the vacant British Masters light welterweight title, in what was an eventful top of the bill.

From early on it was clear Syrian born Al Hamidi had come to have a go and wasn't just there to make the numbers. The late substitute (Saville was originally supposed to fight Jon Baguley) landed some decent shots and was slightly the busier of the two, Saville looked to cover up and looked for the big shot.

In round four Saville found the big shot and dropped Al Hamidi. Al Hamidi was still the busier though in the middle rounds and Saville's left eye was badly swollen. In round six Al Hamidi was docked a point for blatant use of the head but Saville's eye looked a mess.

Saville seemed to tire in the later rounds and was struggling to keep his eye guarded at the same time trying to find one big shot. Al Hamidi however continued to outwork the Wednesfield man. At the end of the tenth referee Shaun Messer lifted Al Hamidi's hand much to the dismay of Saville. Al Hamidi improves to 6-20-1, whilst Saville is now 19-6-0.

Elsewhere the paparazzi were out in force as recent Big Brother contestant (and boxer) Angel McKenzie took on Wolverhampton's only female boxer (and current GBC super featherweight champion) Lyndsey Scragg. It was to be no eviction party for McKenzie though as hometown girl Scragg exited with a 79-75 points victory.

Essington Middleweight Ben Wilkes continued his improvement in his debut year with a 40-38 points victory over Matt Scriven who's always a good test. Wilkes improves to 5-0-0.

Worcester's Alex Strutt impressed with a first round stoppage victory over Scunthorpe's Davey Jones that send his travelling fans home happy.

Willenhall prospect Myles Holder made it three wins out of three with points victory overChris Brophy over six rounds.

Birmingham's Chris Truman improved to 2-0-0 with a shutout points victory over Welshman Craig Dyer over four three's.

In attendance at the decently supported show were ex British welterweight champion Young Mutley who entered the ring to applause, ex WBF light middleweight champion Marcus Portman, both from West Brom and current Commonwealth super flyweight champion Don Broadhurst.

McDermott to defend against Butler in Manchester

Dudley's Darren McDermott will defend his English title against mandatory challenger Bristol's Danny Butler on a Hatton promotions show at the Velodrome in Manchester on September 25th.

Purse bids were put out for this fight recently with Hatton's promotion team who represent Danny Butler winning the bids and putting the fight on for that date. There are strong rumours that this date could be Hatton's first show on Sky as part of the deal they have signed recently.

"The Black Country Bodysnatcher" Darren McDermott will be looking to get back to winning ways after recently coming up short in a Commonwealth title chance against Darren Barker and will want to keep the English strap he beat Steve Bendall for earlier in the year.

Butler has mixed in far less quality company as McDermott (who has also fought for the British title losing on a cut against Wayne Elcock last year). Although Butler does have a few decent wins, including one for the vacant Super-Middleweight British Masters title over Walsall's Matty Hough last year (Butler stopped Hough in the 5th at the Tower Ballrooms, Edgbaston) and his only loss was in the Prizefighter tournament where he lost to the eventual winner Martin Murray.

Hillocks wins at Tower Ballrooms

Tower Ballrooms, Edgbaston
Sunday 5th July

Brierley Hill's Quinton Hillocks continued his career climb with his third win in as many fights. The Super-Middleweight beat Weslhman Adam Wilcox on points over four.

Stourbridge's Richie Wyatt made it two wins from two fights beating Craig Dyer over two fours.

Also on the bill Dee Mitchell beat Martin Concepcion (the two had fought last year, Concepcion winning on that occasion), Eddie McIntosh beat Jamie Norkett and Nasser-Al-Harbi beat Martyn King all on points.

Gethin back on track, Spencer hits 100

Liquid Envy Nightclub, Luton
28th June, 2009

Walsall's Martin Gethin got back to winning ways lastnight with a win over Jason Nesbitt, whilst Wolverhampton's Delroy Spencer celebrated his 100th paid fight with a surprise win.

Lightweight Gethin bounced back after his shock controversial defeat to Chris Long last month, beating Nesbitt in a shut out 40-36 points victory. Gethin's manager Errol Johnson is now hoping to secure Gethin a shot at either Lee McAllister's Comonwealth title, or the British title that John Murray was forced to vacate for not making weight earlier this month.

Delroy Spencer loses more than he wins, but the veteran celebrated his impressive 100th bout with a shock points win over Belfast's Luke Wilton. Wilton was being touted as an opponent for Britih and Commonwealth Flyweight champ Chris Edwards, which makes 40 year old Spencer's win even more impressive.

Back The "Bring Back Bunce" campaign

T.V channel Setanta have as you may know ceased broadcasting this week, and with that goes a host of live boxing (Setanta had a exclusive deals with Top Rank, Hayemaker and Sauerland) but also means the discontinuation of Setanta's weekly boxing show Bunce's Boxing Hour, hosted by sports writer Steve Bunce and presenter Andy Kerr.

Many boxing fans across the U.K have come together to try and keep this fantastic T.V show on our screens by creating a website, petition and Facebook group. The site has already garnered support from the likes of Carl Froch, Don King and Micky Cantwell. We'd like to add our support to the cause and hope that you will too. For the good of boxing in the U.K this show needs to stay on the air.

Please support by visiting the site http://www.bringbackbunce.net/ where you can find all information.

Board order Macca to defend against Butler

The British Boxing Board of Control recently put out some interesting British and English title fights for purse bids including ordering Dudley's Darren "Macca" McDermott (pictured with his English title) to defend his Middleweight English title against Bristol's Danny Butler.

McDermott who won the English title in February at the N.I.A in Birmingham beating Coventry's Steve Bendall on points. McDermott was recently unsuccessful in stepping up and trying to capture Darren Barker's Commonwealth title (being stopped controversially in four) and has also fought for the British title (lost on a cut to Wayne Elcock last year).

Danny Butler who has been fighting under Ricky Hatton's promotional team recently has mixed in far lower quality but has some decent wins, one of which a fifth round stoppage over Walsall's Matty Hough and a second round KO over Jamie Ambler (who recently took McDermott six rounds losing on points). Butler's only defeat comes in the Prizefighter series losing in the semi-final to eventual winner Martin Murray.

Portman to headline Tower Ballroom show

West Bromwich Light-Middleweight Marcus Portman will headline a First Team promoted Sunday afternoon show at the historic Tower Ballrooms in Edgbaston, Birmingham on the 5th July.

No opponent has yet to be announced for Portman who will continue to try and force himself into the title mix. Portman has held the WBF title but has come short when fighting for the British title (beaten by Gary Woolcombe in 2007) and the Commonwealth strap (beaten by Bradley Pryce last year).

Also on the bill will be former English title challenger Dean Hickman who only fought once last year losing to Steve Williams, Coseley prospect Richard Ghent and Walsall's Sam Padgett who recently made an impressive stoppage win debut.

In other news from Saturday night, Stourbridge's Kevin McCauley beat house fighter Brock Cato (on points over six) on the Hatton Promotions bill in Bristol.

Scragg lifts GBC title, Deano back to winning ways

Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Friday 12th June 2009

Wolverhampton's only female boxer Lyndsey Scragg (pictured) made history on Friday's First Team promoted show at the Civic as she lifted the vacant GBC female Super-Featherweight title outpointing late sub Kristine Shergold. It was the first time a women's 'world' title had been contested in Wolverhampton. It was also back to winning ways for British title challenger Dean Harrison.

30 year old Scragg was the better of the two fighters over the ten rounds on the main outworking her opponent. Shergold had stepped in at very late notice after Uganda's Agnes Andonga had visa troubles and Shergold did have some success especially in the later rounds. A headclash caused a deep cut to Scragg and the Wednesbury girl had to hold on in the later rounds hoping that the fight would not be stopped on a cut. She managed to do so and with that lifted the vacant title.

Wolverhampton's popular Dean Harrison was also in action winning a shut out 60-55 points victory against Ali Wyatt over six rounds. Harrison however was less than impressed with his performance hampered by a thyroid problem that also meant he had to compete at Welterweight rather than his favoured Light-Welterweight. It was Harrison's first fight since his unsuccessful British title challenge in March where he lost to Paul McCloskey.

Essington prospect gained his first stoppage victory over Scunthorpe's Davey Jones. The two had met at the same venue in April, Wilkes winning a points victory. This time however Middleweight Wilkes went one better, stopping Jones with an impressive looking jab in the fifth round of a scheduled six.

In an all Wolverhampton clash Light-Welterweight Chris Lewis edged a 39-37 points victory over veteran Carl Allen.

Walsall's Bobby Wood built on his pro debut with an impressive points win over Ernie Smith. Wood had Smith down twice during the fight, in the first after a nice looking left-right combo.

Tipton Light-Welterweight Rob Doodey outpointed Birmingham veteran Karl Taylor over six rounds.

Birmingham Heavyweight Neil Perkins stopped Jason Callum in the third round on a cut.

Coventry's James Mulhern outpointed Francis Croes in a four round Super-Flyweight contest.

Rhys Davies also from Coventry and now trained by Oliver Harrison beat Michael Banbula 59-55.

In a Birmingham derby Anthony Hanna and Daniel Walton drew over four rounds in a Featherweight contest.

In other news from lastnight over the border in Clydebank, Scotland Darren Gethin from Walsall was stopped by local lad Vinnie Baldassara at the end of the fourth.

Last minute opponent change for Scragg

Wolverhampton's only female professional boxer Lyndsey Scragg will now face Paignton's Christine Sheargold after original opponent Uganda's Agnes Andonga had to pull out due to visa problems.

The fight which will headline tonight's First Team show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall will still be for the vacant GBC Super-Featherweight crown thus making it the first ever time a women's 'world' title has been contested in Wolverhampton.