(APR 20) Before retiring last year, famous World Champion RICKY “THE HITMAN” HATTON from Manchester, England won 45 of his 47 professional fights holding at times WBC, WBU, IBO, WBA, and IBF titles at Welterweight, and Light Welterweight.

Now he has turned to promoting.

On Saturday night, 10th April 2010 at the modern Fit City Broughton sports centre, Salford, England his Hatton Promotions in association with Bridgewater Professional Boxing staged an 8 bout tournament “Journey to Glory”.

Fans of womens’ boxing were treated to two exciting bouts – one debuting a woman fresh to this expanding sport. It is good to see such a big name in the world of professional boxing as RICKI HATTON giving women a chance.

ANGEL McKENZIE v DANIELA DAVID

Fourth on the bill this was a 6 x 2 minute round Light welterweight match between two experienced women boxers.

Globe trotting ANGEL MCKENZIE (3-18-0) from Brixton England , famous as a star of the national T.V. programme “BIG BROTHER” ; and 28 year old DANIELA DAVID (4-18-0) classed as a super featherweight from Bucharest Romania.

McKENZIE (31) was born in Moscow of professional parents, but is now naturalized British. She runs a boxing and fitness gym in South London with her adopted father Clinton McKenzie, a former British and European light welterweight champion. McKenzie is also an amateur female Bodybuilder – in September 2006 being the Runner Up in the U.K. B.F.F. North East Championship Fitness Division. A woman of many talents she has had a career in Russia as a Pop singer and is also a poet and artist who has published books and held a public exhibition in London of her oil paintings.

Since turning pro in February 2006 she has had 22 professional fights, of which she has won 3 and lost 18.

At the Weigh In MCKENZIE weighed 142 pounds and DAVID 140 pounds.

First into the ring’s Blue Corner, DAVID was clad in a black sports bra with a white protector and bright red satin shorts with black side stripes. She received a cheer of encouragement from the spectators.

McKENZIE In a marked change from earlier fights; where before entering the ring she had flamboyantly run around the arena amongst the audience in spectacular self made outfits which at times included flashing lights; entered her Red Corner in businesslike demeanor to mild applause. Clad in black sports bra and long black satin shorts she had her left knee protected.

Round 1

The opening ⅓ of the round saw McKENZIE , adopting her usual crouching southpaw stance with her gloves held low circle DAVID, feinting to right and left.

DAVID flicked her right glove forward repeatedly towards McKENZIE’S face, but all intended blows fell far short.

Both women fighting in southpaw style, aimed a series of ineffectual ragged punches; mainly straight rights at the face of the other.

The majority “struck” fresh air !

McKENZIE opened the first effective attack with good blows striking home. Straight rights followed by her sweeping left hook . DAVID retreated, throwing counterpunches as McKENZIE attacked.

Round 2

DAVID tried to take the initiative more in this round. As McKENZIE came forward DAVID fired right and left handed punches to which McKENZIE responded in kind resulting in brief flurries of blows. They were both beginning to land blows on their opponents, although DAVID’S did not carry much conviction and McKENZIE caught her with a good solid left hook to the head.

McKENZIE then took the initiative with her aggressive lunging two handed attacks with DAVID trying to land counterpunches.

McKENZIE is fighter, rather than a classical boxer. She was the more effective mover – relentlessly stalking her opponent before unleashing a mixture of swinging right and left handed punches.

In this steady paced action it became clear that McKENZIE was taking command.

Round 3

The action see sawed across the ring as first McKENZIE and then DAVID attacked and retreated. DAVID mainly held the center of the ring whilst McKENZIE continued to circle. DAVID tried to gain advantage by make attacking forays with straight rights followed by left hooks, but they lacked real power and did not cause McKENZIE trouble. McKENZIE looked far the more dangerous fighter of the two. Although she did not land many punches, those that she did were telling, including one to DAVID’S nose which started to bleed slightly.

As DAVID returned to her corner at the end of this round she gave a momentary slight stumble – probably as a result of the blows she had received.

Round 4

McKENZIE launched her own attacks, Some, a rush forward with straight right rights followed by left hooks. Others, two handed arms flaying like windmills. DAVID , keeping her left glove up to protect her nose, counter punched. Trying to take more of the initiative she launched an aggressive two hand charging attack which briefly drove McKENZIE into a neutral corner. However DAVID backed away instead of maintaining the pressure and allowed McKENZIE to resume her powerful lunging attacks. DAVID did manage to land one good solid left hand hook to McKENZIE’S face.

DAVID’S nose continued to bleed and McKENZIE appeared at times to be taunting DAVID with her feints, but was caught by a blow which caused slight swelling to her right eye.

Round 5

The pace did not slacked with McKENZIE keeping up her relentless two handed attacks. McKENZIE’S punching was much the more effective. Her work rate was higher , but DAVID continued to put up stout resistance, occasionally catching McKENZIE with some good counterpunches to the face. Her own faltering attacks where largely ineffective as McKENZIE bobbed and turned throwing solId counterpunches mixed in with some wild “haymakers” which failed to connect.

Round 6

This was definitely McKENZIES round as despite some wild punches that seemed to go into the stratosphere she doggedly punished her opponent – causing her nose to bleed profusely. McKENZIE is an ungainly boxer, which with her highly individualistic style makes her difficult to fight. DAVID missed her with a number of right and left punches which McKENZIE ducked. DAVID gamely continued to fight to the last bell, but her fighting never had the power and raw aggression needed to win tonight.


McKENZIE was declared the winner by referee Michael Alexander on points : 60 to DAVID’S 55

McKENZIE now advances to 4 wins and18 losses and DAVID drops to 4 wins 19 losses.

Footnote:

Long after the fight was over – at the end of the tournament your correspondent observed DAVID in the audience clutching an ice bag to her nose, which was obviously giving her trouble. However on enquiry to her trainer he was assured that she was alright.

In a brief post fight interview with McKENZIE she stated that she had always been very confident with the fight and would shortly be fighting abroad again.

MAXINE McCARTHY v ZSOFIA BEDO

This was a big night for McCARTHY (0-0-0) who was making her boxing debut - never having fought before as an amateur, professional or as a kick boxer !

15 months of professional boxing training were to be put to the test!

Her featherweight fight was the last one of the night. This honour being earned by her success in selling over 200 tickets – the most of any boxer – to her enthusiastic supporters who crowded the ringside.

In an exclusive preflight interview which she gave to your correspondent shortly before she entered the ring McCARTHY told of her life and her hopes.

An attractive friendly intelligent young lady with hazel eyes and radiant black hair streaked with gold, her strong personality and undoubted ability has enabled her to become a successful well known local business woman owning a clothes shop and adjacent beauty salon near Worsley, Salford. England.

30 year old McCARTHY is one of the youngest of a colourful Irish family of 3 sisters and 6 brothers. Boxing is in her blood. Her father boxed professionally as “ Derek McCarthy “ and “Pat McCarthy” having over 130 fights !

She was educated at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Eccles where she was a sports champion. More recently she has been studying for 2 years at Salford University for a B.Sc degree in Sports Science.

For 8 years she was an amateur body builder, winning many local contests, but has now given this up to concentrate on her boxing.

Very determined, her ambition is to become a British and World Champion.

Her opponent , a last minute substitute for Romanian, MICAELA CALUGAREANU ( 0-3-0) who the British Boxing Board of Control had refused to sanction, was ZSOFIA BEDO ( 2 – 13 – 1 ) a pleasant blond former kick boxing 24 year old Hungarian student whose last fight in England was in Derby in 2008 against JULIETTE WINTER, to whom she lost on points.

At the Weigh In McCARTHY and BEDO each weighed 126 pounds for this 4 x 2 minute round featherweight contest.

First into the ring’s Blue Corner, almost unnoticed, BEDO was clad in a black sports vest trimmed with red piping containing a white breast protector, and large bright red satin shorts with white side stripes..

McCARTHY, clad in black sports bra and abbreviated black satin trunks with gold side stripes which exposed her beautifully toned muscular body, entranced a few minutes later to the excited cheers of her male and female supporters.

Round 1

Holding her gloves high McCARTHY spurted towards BEDO throwing straight lefts with right jab combinations which fell well short. BEDO similarly struck air as each sought to get the measure of their opponent.

Both women found it difficult to penetrate their adversaries defence and land telling blows.

McCARTHY adopting a menacing stance, crouching down to launch quick two handed forays. BEDO protecting her face with both gloves adopting a more orthodox straight backed posture.

For much of this round both women threw many punches which were short by a considerable margin.

It is a fact that as this fight progressed “Fresh Air “ if human would have received a considerable thrashing from both women !

BEDO forced McCARTHY into a clinch on the ropes near the red corner.

As he separated them McCARTHY received a brief warning from the referee for holding.

BEDO then forced McCARTHY back into another clinch on the ropes near a neutral corner.

Using the entire ring, the fast moving action “see sawed” with both fighters attacking and retreating, McCARTHY throwing the majority of the punches.

There were a number of untidy “fighting ” clinches which the referee had to separate. McCARTHY tried to get inside to deliver punishing body blows but BEDO nullified these by clasping her in clinches.

McCARTHY threw a mighty right hook which fell well short.

They were in another fighting clinch as the bell rang.

This scrappy contest was to be dominated by these fighting clinches which at times gave the impression of wrestling.

Round 2

McCARTHY came straight out of her corner and launched a two handed attack on BEDO’S stomach which drew a warning from the referee for an accidental low blow.

BEDO tried a number of attacks going forward throwing a right and left hand which again failed to land and was beaten back by McCARTHY. Another clinch ensued.

BEDO attacked again with a straight left which landed without much effect . McCARTHY came right back with a series of left and right hooks aimed at the body and the fighters ended in another clinch.

She followed up with a clash where she unleashed a series of short right and left handed punches to anywhere she could find a target.

McCARTHY took the initiative with her aggressive two handed attacks. It quickly became obvious that McCARTHY is a fighter rather than a classical boxer.

McCARTHY got in a good right hook to the head as the round ended.

It was clear that she was beginning to dominate the fight.

Round 3

Fast action. Another rapid exchange of short right and left hooks – McCARTHY ducking down low to get inside to the body. BEDO countering with blows to the upper torso. Another clinch in which BEDO held McCARTHY'S head under her arm until separated by referee. He gave BEDO a warning for holding.

Both women moved rapidly about the ring, throwing blows in a fighting melee.

After another clash BEDO’S head ended up through the ropes and the referee had to help extricate her.

A short violent exchange of blows took place with |McCARTHY landing a good right hook to the sola plexus.

The round ended in a tussle with BEDO’S head poking through the ropes on the other side of the ring, trapped under McCARTHY’S left arm.

Round 4

A fast moving round - similar in pattern to the two previous. Many punches flaying the air - Short sharp clashes – rapid exchange of blows - BEDO to McCARTHY'S head – McCARTHY to BEDOS body and head ending in clinches with McCARTHY grasping BEDO’S waist and BEDO grabbing McCARTHY’S arms. The referee having to continually separate them and give warnings for holding. McCARTHY and BEDO touched gloves in acknowledgement. Shortly before the end BEDO was briefly trapped in her Red Corner as McCARTHY leaned on her, raining short hard double handed jabs.

The final bell sounded as they prepared for another clash.

McCARTHY was deservedly declared the winner on points by referee Michael Alexander by 40 to Bedo’s 36

She now advances to 1 win, and BEDO drops to 2 wins 14 losses and 1 Draw.

Speaking to your correspondent in her dressing room shortly after the fight an elated McCARTHY described her victory as “ One for the Irish !”

McCARTHY always looked the more dangerous of the pair. Her attacks had determination, aggression and method. She had a higher work rate. BEDO’S boxing lacked fire. Not incompetent, and, willing to come forward and trade blow for blow, her attacks quickly expired. She fought back gamely, but found her agile opponent hard to punch effectively, and was overwhelmed by McCARTHY’S aggressive power.

However McCARTHY did not achieve the knock out for which she hoped. As one would expect from a first fight, she has much to learn, but with more experience and training she should have a very successful career in the ring.

A GOOD START.

© John E.G.Wilson. “
Zsifua Bedo