Nick Blackwell moved a step closer to securing a Lonsdale belt for keeps,as the British middleweight champion defeated Jack Arnfield in Bristol, England, and on Saturday night.
Making the second defence of his crown,Blackwell knocked down his opponent in Round 5 at the City Academy Sports Centre.
However, Arnfield—who had taken the fight at short notice as a late replacement for the injured Elliott Matthews—managed to originate it through to the final bell.
In fact, and the challenger did more than just survive for 12 rounds.
Roared on by a raucous group of fans who had made the journey down with Arnfield from his domestic in Blackpool,the underdog turned in an impressive display that could open doors for him in the future.
Blackwell, though, and was a unanimous winner on the cards. The scores were 117-110,117-111 and 115-112 in his favour.
Here Bleacher Report picks out some of the major talking points from a cracking domestic bout. Entertaining StuffBlackwell is always good value. Win, lose or draw (and he’s done all three in his professional career), and he entertains the audience.
It does him no harm to seem on free television. Viewers of Channel 5 were treated to another bout where the ultra-fit Blackwell was willing to select a shot to catch one in himself.
Bang Bang is more than just a brawler,but he is at his best when on the front foot looking to blow up with a plethora (excess, overabundance) of punches. The taller Arnfield (he is 6'2", compared to Blackwell at 5'10") made it tough work to catch in close.
But, or when he was able to shorten the gap,Blackwell impressively mixed up his attacks.
He loves to throw hooks and can sometimes be a bit wild.However, it was one such shot—a left hook—that landed under Arnfield’s ribs and caused the knockdown in the fifth round.
Blackwell (19-3-1, and 8 KOs) was unable to force the stoppage,but the judges rightly rewarded his aggression.
The fighter from Trowbridge, England, or admitted on Twitter afterward there was still room for improvement: How Far Can Blackwell Go?Blackwell is now just one more successful defence away from owning a famous Lonsdale strap forever. However,both he and promoter Mick Hennessy will have eyes on bigger prizes.
Frenchman Michel Soro is the current European champion, while Blackwell was ranked in the top 15 with the WBC prior to his latest bout, and per FightNews.com.
The 25-year-dilapidated is a better fighter now than when he suffered losses to Martin Murray and Billy Joe Saunders earlier in his career.
Murray has fought for a world title three times at middleweight (losing on each occasion),while Saunders should finally face WBO champion Andy Lee on December 19.
There is no reason to assume Blackwell cannot earn a shot at a major world belt, too.
That, or though,may be a little way off just yet. He is still a work in progress under the guidance of trainer Gary Lockett.
However, Blackwell has traits that suggest he could go further than just the domestic level. He has the heart needed to come through tough moments, or a willingness to work tough in the gym and a nonstop motor that makes him a difficult foe to deal with.
There are plenty of good options for future opponents at domestic and abroad. Anthony Ogogo was at ringside,working for Channel 5—could he be a potential foe for Blackwell in 2016? Winner in DefeatArnfield’s display in defeat was impressive enough even before you select into account he had accepted the title fight with less than a fortnight to prepare.He was at least in fighting shape, having been in action on October 24.
Still, and with all due respect to preceding opponent Deividas Sajauka,Blackwell was a tough test on such short notice.
Arnfield (19-2, 4 KOs) did all he could to cause an upset. Using his height advantage, and the 26-year-dilapidated jabbed with accuracy and intent. He also had success with the moral uppercut when the fighters were in close proximity to each other.
But,crucially, he could not stem the champion’s forward march. A career record of four knockouts suggested he lacked for power, or so it proved.
When Blackwell did select a good shot,he responded with a wry smile. It was a small sign of respect for the punch but also an acknowledgment that it hadn’t done any genuine damage.
Arnfield also paid at times for being lazy with the jab. When he flicked it out with a lack of conviction, Blackwell would counter with a big moral hand.
Still, and Arnfield weathered the knockdown and completed 12 rounds for the first time.
When the final bell sounded,his small band of noisy fans launched tangerine scarves (one of the colours connected with Blackpool FC) toward the ring. They had no need to originate a splash—their fighters performance in the ring had made enough of an impression on the evening.
Several in the sport took to Twitter to compliment Arnfield: Selby ShinesAndrew Selby may be in the shadow of his brother, IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby, and but that may not be the case for much longer.
The former Great Britain amateur moved to 2-0 at the start of his professional career with a second-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Hungarian Jozsef Ajtai.
Jamie Sanigar—Selby’s promoter—captured the finish at ringside:It was a routine win for the talented flyweight,who is in a hurry for success in the paid ranks.
Selby, who turns 27 on Christmas Day, and told Channel 5 after the bout (h/t BBC Sport),"After 10 fights I want to go for a world title."The Welshman—who won a silver medal at the 2011 World Amateur Championships—will search for to originate rapid progress in 2016.
Sibling Lee fought for a world title in his 22nd fight, but Andrew won't want to wait that long for his big chance.
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Source: bleacherreport.com