Capital Punishment – Undercard Review

By Ryan Forde-Kelly - 02/01/2015 - Comments

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Hibbert goes up a level | Ryder ends a difficult night with a bang | Martin a class apart

John Wayne Hibbert TKO8 Tyler Goodjohn

John Wayne Hibbert 15-2 (9KO’s) took another huge step towards a tilt at the British light welterweight title, producing an eye-catching display to halt Tyler Goodjohn 11-4 (4KO’s) in the 8th round.

Given the obligatory social media bad blood in the lead up to the contest, there was a feeling that war would be declared from the opening bell. Hibbert had other ideas moving freely in and out of range, stinging the marching Goodjohn with sharp combinations.

It wasn’t long before the Essex man made a viable impression, landing a solid right hand in the 2nd round, stiffening the legs of his opponent momentarily. The courageous Goodjohn was being outclassed and touched down in the 3rd after a perfectly timed right hand from the classy looking Hibbert.

A cut emanating from a 2nd round punch worsened above the left eye of Goodjohn, who began to throw caution to the wind as a result, with a display of spirit rarely found outside of the boxing ring.

Unfortunately for him, his spirited assaults were met with further punishment, dealt by a composed Hibbert who was a class above.

By the middle of the 7th round Goodjohn had poured everything out valiantly and was forced onto the back foot for the first time by Hibbert who smelt blood.

When the stoppage came in the 8th round, following another sharp barrage, it was not a moment too soon. John Wayne Hibbert produced a terrific display in what was an enjoyable contest and moves onto the next level and a British title eliminator.

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John Ryder KO10 Billi Godoy

It’s been a difficult year or so for John Ryder 20-1 (12KO’s), since he produced an impressive performance when losing to Billy Joe Saunders in September 2013. Consistently failing to attain fights with desired opponents has built a frustration into a fighter keen to be challenged and progress.

This frustration was evident last night from the Londoner who struggled to impress before producing a scintillating left hook to dispose of Argentine Billi Godoy, now 31-4 (15KO’s).

Ryder started well enough, making it an uncomfortable pace for the awkward campaigner, having success with the straight left down the middle that had his opponent’s head rocking back on a number of occasions.

Godoy was in survival mode from the 2nd round onwards and it would appear to have inspired a lull from Ryder, who was content to wait for the openings, rather than force the action. The Englishman was winning the rounds, but not as convincing as the fans, whose attention started to drift, would have liked.

It took until the 7th round before Ryder began to put the foot down, pressing Godoy back and working to the body. Visibly the late replacement, who took the fight at 1 weeks notice, finally started to look slightly uncomfortable.

This pattern would continue over the intervening rounds prior to a moment that was not entirely in keeping with the rest of the contest. Finally things opened up for Ryder who uncorked a huge left hook to flatten Godoy, who was unable to beat the count 1:52 into the 10th round.

Ryder moves on, but is in dire need of a fight to get the blood flowing and reintroduce the fans to the real ‘Gorilla’ who has impressed so much over the last 2 or 3 years.

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Tommy Martin PTS10 Ricky Boylan

The benefit of intelligent movement was a theme of the night and never more so than in Tommy Martin’s excellent unanimous decision victory over Ricky Boylan over ten rounds.

Martin, now 11-0 (3KO’s), was in the mood from the off, on the front foot and letting his hands go in a move that seemed to have the physically stronger Boylan, now 12-2 (4KO’s), surprised.

Boylan was out boxed throughout the first three rounds, as he struggled with his timing, unable to impose himself on Martin who was landing consistently with good variety, if not concussive power.

It was the 4th and 5th rounds where Boylan had his success; managing to walk the energetic Martin back to the ropes and let his hands go. Finally he had his opponent under duress and his thudding body shots had Martin breathing heavily, giving an impression of feeling the hot pace.

The impression didn’t last long and it was Martin who took charge from the 6th round and retained it for the remainder of the fight. His ability to maneuver the bullish Boylan was absorbing, frequently spinning the Surrey native when trapped on the ropes and having the last word when the fighters exchanged.

The judges scored unanimously in favour of Tommy Martin with scores of 97-93 x 2 and 99-92. This was impressive from Martin, who looks a quality edition to an exciting light welterweight domestic scene.

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Remaining Results

Charlie Edwards TKO4 Craig Derbyshire
Ohara Davies TKO1 Lee Gibbons
Isaac Chamberlain PTS4 Moses Matovu
Ben Hall D6 Ryan Toms
Lee Markham TKO2 Lewis Van Poetsch