At the Matchroom Fight Camp, Brentwood, Essex, UK, Friday over DAZN the UK’s unbeaten Commonwealth (British Empire) Middleweight champion Felix Cash defended and defeated Jason Welborn of the UK for his thirteenth straight win! This was a Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn promotion.
In the Main Event Commonwealth Middleweight champion Felix Cash, 13-0 (9), #159 3/4, of Wokingham Redding, UK, retained his title stopping Jason Welborn, 24-9 (7), #158 ¾, of West Midlands, UK, at 2:48 of the fifth round scheduled for 12 rounds.
In the first four rounds Cash controlled. In the fifth Cash lost a point for another low bow. Then an overhand right from Cash on top of head down went Welborn. In the final minute another right on the chin from Cash and down went the shorter Welborn forcing the referee Michael Alexander to wisely wave it off.
“It took me three rounds to find my range. I knew I was hurting him with body shots. I will fight anyone in the country,” said Cash.
In the co-feature Commonwealth Super Featherweight champion Zelfa “Brown Flash” Barrett, 24-1 (15), #129 1/2, of Manchester, UK, stopped southpaw Eric “Lilywhite Lightning” Donovan, 12-1 (7), #129 1/2, of Athy, Ireland, UK, for the IBF inter-continental title.
Through five rounds Donovan hurt Barrett in the fifth to take a slight edge. In the seventh a left hook from Barrett on the chin dropped Donovan halfway through the round. In the final minute a right on the chin from Barrett dropped Donovan again. In the eighth a left hook from Barrett on the chin knocked Donovan down for a third and last time as the referee Howard Foster wisely waved it off.
“He’s a good fighter and my corner said I was behind when I caught him with a good shot (first knockdown),” said Barrett.
Super Welterweight Kieron “Too Class” Conway, 15-1-1 (3), #153 ¾, of Northampton, UK, defeated former British champion Navid “Nav” Mansouri, 20-4-2 (6), #153 ¼, of Rotherham, UK, over 10 rounds, for the vacant WBA inter-continental title.
In the seventh round Conway had Mansouri out on his feet in the last thirty seconds. In the eighth and ninth Conway tried for stoppage but couldn’t make it happen. Referee Steve Gray allowed Mansouri to land rabbit punches the entire fight without warning.
Scores were 99-92 twice and 98-92 with this writer 97-93.
Super Middleweight southpaw John “The Doc” Docherty, 9-0 (7), #166 ¾”, of Montrose, Scotland, UK, stopped Anthony “The Matador” Fox, 8-13-4 (0), #166 ¼”, of Westbury, UK, at 1:02 of the seventh round in a scheduled 8 rounds.
In the third round Docherty dropped Fox with a right hook on the chin. Docherty suffered a cut on his left eyebrow. At the end of the sixth Docherty landed four lefts to the chin of Fox. In the seventh round three lefts from Docherty on the chin dropped Fox. Upon rising Docherty jumped on Fox landing punches in bunches before the referee Howard Foster wisely called a halt. Fox had a bloody nose.
“He’s a lot stronger and better than I thought,” said Docherty.
Featherweight Shannon “The Baby Face Assassin” Courtenay, 5-1 (2), #126 ¾, of Watford, UK, lost to Rachel Ball, 6-1 (0), #126 ¾, of Aldridge, UK, over 8 rounds.
In the first round the shorter Courtenay landed a big right but got countered with a left hook on the chin from Ball and went down for an 8-count. By the end of the fourth Courtenay was in control. Ball came back well including winning the last round. Ball had a lump outside her left eye at the end.
Referee Howard Foster scored 77-75 Ball while this writer 76-75 Courtenay.
“I’m sorry to be so emotional. She hits hard, I’m glad to get the win,” said Ball.