IBF Super Welterweight international champion Sam “The Savage” Eggington, of Worcestershire, UK, was upset by Ted “The Big Cheese” Cheeseman, of London, UK, over 12 rounds in an IBF Super Welterweight title defense Saturday Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn was the promoter at his beautiful residence grounds at the Matchroom Headquarters called Fight Camp, Brentwood, in a super event!
In the Main Event Sam “The Savage” Eggington, 28-7 (16), #153 ¾, of Birmingham, UK, lost in a close war to Ted “The Big Cheese” Cheeseman, 162-1 (9), #153 1/4, of Bermondsey, UK, for the IBF international Super Welterweight title 12 rounds.
In the second round a right from Cheeseman almost dropped Eggington whose knees buckled. He came back well. In the third and fourth rounds Eggington came back well in close rounds. In the sixth round Eggington rocked Cheeseman with a left hook on the chin but got countered immediately with a Cheeseman right on the chin. In the seventh round Eggington drew blood from the nose of Cheeseman in a close round.
In the eighth round a counter right from Cheeseman on the chin rocked Eggington. In the ninth round Eggington came back well to take the round though having swelling around his left eye. In the tenth round it went back and forth with Eggington doing well until a left hook from Cheeseman on the chin rocked him. In the eleventh round both continued to unload on one another with Cheeseman rocking Eggington with a left hook to the chin in the closing seconds of the round.
In the twelfth and final round it was a war going either way.
Scores were Edwards 116-113, Foster 115-114 and Lewis 116-113 with this writer having it 114-114.
“I have lost close fights and it was good coming back with this win. It was a tough fight with Sam. I hadn’t had a win in two years. There was no pressure on me with no crowd. At times it was tough but I dug down in this fight,” said Cheeseman. “It was a tough fight and Ted got the decision today. I’m sure people would like to see it again,” said Eggington.
Lightweight James “The Assassin” Tennyson, 27-3 (23), #134 ½, of Belfast, N. Ireland, UK, in a war stopped Gavin Gwynne, 12-2 (2), #134 ½, of Merthyr Tydfyl, Wales, UK, at 2:30 of the sixth in a scheduled 12 rounds for the vacant British Lightweight title 12 rounds.
In the first two action-packed rounds both fighters had their moments. In the fourth round the action continued with Tennyson hurting Gwynne with a minute left in the round with a right on the chin. In the fifth round Gwynne seemed to take the round out landing Tennyson drawing blood from the nose of Tennyson. In the sixth round a vicious right from Tennyson on the chin dropped Gwynne. He had Gwynne out on his feet driving him across the ring without return when the referee Phil Edwards wisely stopped the fight.
“He has won the British and EBU titles at super featherweight and now British at lightweight and is ready for the best. Gwynne showed toughness that Tennyson needed in a great fight,” said Eddie Hearn.
Featherweight Jordan “The Thrill” Gill, 25-1 (7), #125 ¾, of Huntingdon, UK, defeated Reece “Bomber” Bellotti, 14-4 (12), #125 ¼, of Watford, UK, over 10 rounds.
In the first round it was close with Gill faster but Bellotti outworking him. In the second and third rounds Gill used his speed, jab and left hooks to take the rounds from Bellotti. In the fourth round some fifteen seconds gone Bellotti landed his best punch a right to the chin of Gill getting his attention. Bellotti’s face showed marks from the battle.
In the sixth round a left hook from Gill rocked Bellotti who suffered a cut over his right eye. In the seventh round Gill used good combinations to the head causing the cut of Bellotti’s to run down the side of his face. In the ninth round Gill continued using his jab to keep Bellotti behind in the fight.
In the tenth and final round Bellotti landed his best punch a right to the chin of Gill. Gill’s speed has kept him ahead in the fight but Bellotti knowing he was behind landed some wild shots. Referee was Ian-John Lewis.
Scores were Alexander and Foster 97-93 and Edwards 96-95 with this writer 97-93.
Heavyweight Fabio Wardley, 9-0 (8), #224, of Ipswich, UK, stopped Simon Vallily, 17-3-1 (7), #224 ½, of Middlesbrough, UK, at 1:01 of the third in a scheduled 10 rounds for the vacant English title.
In the first two rounds Wardley seemed to get the best of it with an effective jab and able to slip punches. In the third round back to the corner Wardley landed a left hook to the chin hurting Vallily and continued with a dozen unanswered punches driving Vallily across the ring before the referee Howard Foster called a halt.
“I’m over the moon and grateful winning the title. I knew where the gaps were and in round three it was over,” said Wardley.
Lightweight top UK prospect Dalton “Thunder” Smith, 6-0 (5), #140 ½, of Sheffield, UK, knocked out Nathan Bennett, 9-2 (2), #140, of Liverpool, UK, at 2:56 of the fifth in a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the first round it was all Smith ending the final seconds with a left hook and right knocking Bennett off balance. In the third round Smith continued landing solid shots to the head of Bennett ending the round with a right to the head rocking Bennett who kept walking into punches being the aggressor. In the fourth round Smith bloodied the mouth of Bennett and even went to the body well.
In the fifth round a sensational right from Smith on the left ear of Bennett and he went down and out as referee Ian-John Lewis counted to 8 and waved it off. It was a sensational performance by Smith.
“He caught me with a good right in the first round and he is a good fighter. I knew I would have to maneuver around and catch him with a good punch,” said Smith.