Sept. 3, 2022: Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith knocked out Hassan Mwakinyou in the fourth round on his return to hometown Liverpool, but it wasn’t the perfect homecoming with the fight ending in confusion and controversy.
Smith faced the heavy handed Mwakinyo who had come to the UK and caused upsets against the local fighter in the past. Mwakinyo upped the pressure in the early rounds of the fight, using quick jabs and powerful right hands, but Smith was feeling his opponent’s rhythm and finding the openings.
Mwakinyo complained of ankle problems after a slip in the second round, which seemed to affect his movement for the rest of the fight and led to the first relatively unprovoked knockdown in the fourth round, and the eventual second knockdown and stoppage. at 1:46. in that round.
The Liverpudlian legend is ranked in the top five by multiple sanctioning bodies, and now he seems more determined than ever to claim another world championship. It seems certain that more big fights are to come in Liam Smith’s career.
Full undercard results:
Natasha Jonas def. Patricia Berghult – OUT (99-91, 100-90, 100-90)
It was a successful unification of the WBO and WBC super welterweight world championships by ‘Miss GB’ Natasha Jonas in a 10-round fight against an undefeated world champion in Patricia Berghult. Patricia Berghult had genuine success boxing from long range in the early rounds, but Jonas showed the heart of a champion to close the distance and throw concussive punches throughout the rest of the fight.
Jonas turned the fight into a tough close-quarters brawl, which she consistently dominated. Throughout the later rounds of the fight, Jonas made Berghult miss and landed vicious uppercuts to her head and body. Jonas came close to finding the stoppage during the final rounds, but Berghult was undefeated and kept fighting until the final bell, meaning Miss GB had to make a wide decision on the judge’s scorecards.
Natasha Jonas was a proud Liverpool representative in this fight, and the Liverpool crowd rooted for their champion. Now she goes on to represent the sport on the biggest night in women’s boxing history next Saturday.
Frazer Clarke defeated. Pencho Tsvetkov – KO Rd 1/6 1:05
Frazer Clarke, Olympic bronze medalist and fast-rising heavyweight sensation, destroyed an opponent in Pencho Tsvetkov, who tasted Clarke’s power and instantly realized he didn’t want to be in the ring with him.
Clarke took him out in under 70 seconds and quickly turned his thoughts to his fourth career opponent, who will hopefully provide more competition.
Adam Azim def. Michel Cabral – KO Rd 1 (1:54)
The most electrifying young talent in world boxing, Adam Azim, scored his third consecutive first-round stoppage and fifth career victory in just over two minutes. Azim charged from the first bell and claimed the center of the ring, firing lightning-quick jabs and right hands, scoring a knockdown with a crippling uppercut to the body and then ending the fight with a handful of straight right hands to the head of Michel Cabral. that knocked him down and left him unable to respond to the referee’s count of 10.
Cabral had never been stopped before in his professional career, having competed 45 rounds and earned five wins to this point in his career. The future superstar from Slough made a big statement with another explosive victory, showing the world that she means business when she says that she plans to become the youngest World Champion in history.
Dan Azeez def. Shakan Stoners – UD (117-111, 117-112, 115,113)
British light heavyweight champion Dan Azeez scored a monumental unanimous decision victory over one of the best 175-pound fighters in the UK in Shakan Pitters. Azeez overcame the 8-inch height difference between the pair with deft forward movement and destructive shots in a 12-round war. The fight kept up a strong tempo with constant action from the first bell to the final bell.
The first half of the fight was very competitive, with Pitters boxing well from range and landing the right uppercut, while Azeez pressed and landed shots from close range, as well as a series of powerful right hands in the second round. did serious damage to Pitters. However, Azeez was finding more success in these rounds, using excellent head movement as he advanced to prevent Pitters’ exit and starting to deal damage on Pitters with club blows.
Pitters had periods of legitimate success in the later rounds, but Azeez continued to find ways to land shots and cause damage. ‘Super’ Dan dictated the pace throughout the fight, applying pressure when he decided to and coaxing Pitters into a fight at greater distance when he deemed it necessary, displaying outstanding dominance in the ring on his way to a championship-defining victory. career of him.
Azeez can now legitimately claim to sit at the top table in British light heavyweight boxing, and will now look to even bigger and better things in his currently unblemished career.
Paddy Lacey def. Seamus Devlin – PTS 60-54
Former professional footballer and now 7-0 professional boxer, Paddy Lacey, earned a complete victory on points in six rounds against a fierce opponent who had clashed with Lacey at the weigh-ins. Lacey controlled the distance well and made sure to come out better from each exchange, leaving no question about who won each round for the referee who scored the bout.
Nathan Quarless def. Toni Visic – PTS 60-53
Nathan Quarless sent his opponent to the canvas en route to a totally dominating points win. Visic is a seasoned ring veteran with more than 50 professional fights and 20 wins, but Quarless made it look easy. The skilled Scotsman cruiserweight landed shots throughout the fight and came close to taking Visic out for good at various points throughout the fight, but Visic showed courage and determination to make it to the final bell. The referee’s scorecard reflects how Quarless won every second of every round.
Frankie Stringer def. Karl Sampson PTS 40-36
The first Liverpool native on the card earned a quiet win against an elusive, fast-moving southpaw in Karl Sampson to pick up the second victory of his professional career. Stringer constantly held the center of the ring and floored Sampson with cannon shots, but Sampson remained remarkably difficult to pin down.
Stringer grew into the fight as it went on, finding more success in the third and fourth rounds as Sampson began to slow down, finishing strong and claiming victory each round on the referee’s scorecard.
Clark Smith def. Petar Aleksandrov – PTS 40-36
A measured and intelligent debut from ‘Manchester Mexican’ Clark Smith against an experienced opponent in Aleksandrov, hitting clean, straight shots from the southpaw position throughout the fight. Smith used long jabs and straight left hands throughout the fight to pummel Aleksandrov without allowing the tough Bulgarian to land anything in return.
Smith displayed an impressive variety of punches over the last two rounds, working uppercuts and combinations into his production to finish the fight in style. This debut has put boxing on notice of just how good Clark Smith has the potential to be.
Musa Moyo def. Diego Costa – PTS 58-56
Musa Moyo managed to beat a seriously tough and undefeated opponent in Diego Costa in a brutal 6 round back and forth fight. Both men landed shots consistently throughout the fight, with Muyo being the more elusive of the two, while Diego Costa brought formidable punching power. Both men were successful in this close fight, reflected in the referee’s close card to decide the winner. Both men will have won over many fans with their performances tonight.
Scott Forrest def. Dmitry Kalinovsky – TKO Rd 3/4 (1:34)
Scott Forrest scored another devastating knockout in the first fight of the night to move his record to three wins and no losses, with all wins before the final bell. He consistently landed fast punch combinations throughout the first two rounds of the fight, and one in the third finally sent Kalinovskij to the canvas. He got back to his feet, but a perfect combination of left hook and right uppercut knocked him down again and forced the referee to stop the fight.
