It’s a travesty that none of TV’s big boxing broadcasters were at Sunderland FC’s Stadium of Light on Sunday July 7, because they missed out on some top quality action.
Additionally it’s also a crying shame for the fighters, who work so hard away from the spotlight, to not be afforded the opportunity of having their efforts showcased to a wider watching audience.
Pro Box North East’s ‘Summer Rumble’ show was a great advertisement for boxing. All the bouts were entertaining and the headliner – Anthony Nelson vs. Mohammed Waqas – and the chief support – Jonson McClumpha vs. Andrew Buchanan – epitomised everything that’s great about the sport.
If ever you needed an eye-opener for how gruelling and tough a sport boxing can be, then the bout between South Shields’ Nelson and Middlesbrough’s Waqas is worth a watch. The pair put everything on the line as they battled for the Northern Area super-flyweight title and for 10 rounds the duo never stopped punching. The action was fast, frenetic, full of skill and, in the end; Anthony (pictured with team) prevailed to win his first, but probably not his last, title.
Likewise, Sunderland’s McClumpha and Newcastle’s Buchanan put on a real show. Jonson’s jab was a truly effective weapon, while Buchanan’s counter combinations neutralised any advantage. The fighters matched each other punch-for-punch before a remarkable last round saw the pair go hell for leather in a bloody finale. Ultimately the referee couldn’t split them and they both had their hands raised. Fought in a great spirit, the pair will look to do it all again in the future for a belt.
The full card results were as follows:
Anthony Nelson beat Mohammed Waqas; 98-95
Jonson McClumpha drew with Andrew Buchanan; 58-58
Lee Mould beat Ben Zacharkiw; KO1
Kirk Goodings beat Dean Mills; RSC5
Anthony Hardy beat Matt Seawright; 39-37
Michael Hadfield beat Pavel Senkovs; 40-36
Martin Ward beat Adrian Fuzesi; 59-55
Thomas Patrick Ward beat Ben Morrish; 40-37
Peter Cope beat Qasim Hussain; 58-56
