IT WAS HIS debut bout, but things didn’t start entirely to plan for Prince “Dreamhills” Brady at York Hall on 25th November: the young boxer hit the canvass ten seconds into the fight.
Brady – an Irishman born in Zimbabwe and now based in Ilford was the victim of an overhand right from his opponent, the Swedish Eduard Bjorkland (1-5-1). He was up before the count was over – and provoked to fight back hard and fast. Bjorkland was also energised by his early success, but Brady secured a close 39-37 win in the end.
Trainer Matt Marsh, commenting on the performance after the fight, said “He wasn’t expecting that punch, he just [got] caught. He [Bjorkland] was a tough opponent and obviously that first round was a 10-8 round. He [Brady] got back up and won every round after that. It was a good fight, the rounds were close, but Prince won all of them.”
Brady gave his own view of the debut performance. “First eight seconds I was off balance, but I came back and won the rest. More of a slip really, I got right back up, ready to go and I got back to beating him up,” he said. “He was a tough competitor and was experienced – he was 37, I’m only 23 – he just kept coming forward trying to get the win. Everyone said my fight was the best of the night, it was so entertaining, especially for the second fight of the night.”
Brady vowed to carry on training, with a view to settling on a new itinerary – hopefully including an early fight – in the New Year.
•Later on the bill, Hemel Hempstead’s Jordan Joseph defeated “Dazzlin” Darrell Church in a Southern Area light-heavyweight title eliminator. The game ended when Church, from Witham in Essex, was withdrawn by the doctor at the end of the eighth round following an eye injury.
•Finally, in the headline act, Wadi Camacho retained his Southern Area cruiserweight title after a narrow 96-95 decision over Stratford’s Jose Lopes. This was the first defence of the title for the Canning Town boxer since he recaptured the Southern Area crown in September, after another points win, against Ossie Jervier.
Other results Harrow welterweight Jez Smith snatched an impressive second-round stoppage against the usually durable Nathan Hardy.
Belgian heavyweight Jack Mulowayi extended his unbeaten record to 3-0 (1 KO) through a comprehensive 40-36 triumph over Ighor Mihaljevic.
Debutants Conroy Downer, Yaser Al Ghena and Brandon Ball all secured convincing points victories over four rounds, as they eased their way into the professional ranks.
Bedford cruiserweight Downer outclassed opponent Toni Bilic, whilst Rochester’s light heavyweight Ball made light work of substitute opponent Jules Phillips.
Exciting London-based Ghanaian welterweight Al Ghena showed glimpses of excellent ring generalship against awkward journeyman Kevin McCauley.
Shoreham’s unbeaten super-lightweight Marcus Eaton recorded a fourth-round stoppage win over Radoslav Mitev, after a vicious left hook began the onslaught of punches that forced the referee to intervene.
Jumanne Camero, the switch-hitting lightweight hailing from Mitcham, was too good for Chris Adaway, claiming a 40-36 points win.
Newham’s Ryan Walker recorded his fifth straight win, winning a four-round featherweight points decision win over Jamie Speight, who did not pose much threat for Walker and was on the backfoot for the duration.
Twenty-year-old super-welterweight Ricky Heavens narrowly defeated Sylwester Walczak 39-38, in what can only be described as a scrappy affair, with the Hayes man being tied up in clinches for the majority of the contest.
Tonbridge fan favourite Lewis Syrett secured his third straight win, beating Victor Edagha 39-37 points.
Hammersmith light-heavyweight Dana Zaxo entered the professional ranks with a bang, securing a big first-round stoppage against Justin Johnson.
•Prince Brady would like to thank his sponsors Marsh’s Gym and Agent Tim Rickson. To follow Prince Brady on Twitter, go to: @dreamhills7
•For tickets to the next fight, call 07453-000 985.
•Read more about it: “KO Racism” in boxing launches in London Limehouse Boxing Academy hosts end of year award
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