24.04.04 – By Gavin Macleod – Glasgow’s Craig Docherty retained his Commonwealth Super-featherweight title last night (Thursday 22nd) with a scintillating display of controlled aggression that proved to be too much for his rugged African opponent Kpakpo Allotey of Ghana. In front of a very vocal crowd at the Kelvin Hall, Docherty produced the finest performance of his career and one which has now left him in a fantastic position to move onto bigger and better things.
Allotey was a bit of an unknown quantity and apart from the impression that he carried a lot of power, with all of his eight victories coming via the short route, many were concerned that he might prove to be an unworthy challenger as African imports tend to be a bit of an enigma. All of this talk was put to rest however, as Allotey came out fighting in the first round and looked to distance himself from the poor showing of fellow African, and one time victim, Michael Kizza, who succumbed to Alex Arthur recently in the first round of a lacklustre display.
From the opening bell Docherty showed his intent as he forced Allotey back onto the ropes and pounded home his now trademark hooks to the body. This was the first test of Allotey’s heart for the fight and as he punched back in the face of adversity the crowd knew that he would not sell them short. Docherty was managing to slip Allotey’s punches and those that were on target found themselves being halted by the champion’s gloves. Docherty poured on the pressure and was showing off one of the most impressive features of his arsenal. That is the ability to cover up nice and tight but to also open up at exactly the right time to fire off his own damaging punches. Nearing the end of the round Allotey ensured it was not al one way traffic as he connected with tow left hooks but in retaliation Docherty again backed his man up and sank in some left hooks to the challengers ribcage.
The second round saw a more positive Allotey come out and fire home a left-right combination but then he made himself look sloppy by slapping with his short hooks inside. He was also displaying a very composed manner in the ring and seemed unfazed by the constant stalking of the champion. With Allotey in a corner both men stood bobbing and weaving, without throwing a punch as each looked to counter form the others mistakes. Allotey scored first with a countering right hand but Docherty came back well with a ferocious left hook to the body and then a powerful right hook upstairs.
The countering continued in round three as Docherty snapped off a left hook then a stiff right hand that snapped back Allotey’s head. However, once again the African fired back and connected with four short punches, as Docherty stood stationary for just a moment too long. This was just a reminder to Docherty to keep his head moving and once he did Allotey found it difficult to find his range and would paw out a jab in the hope of closing down the distance between himself and the elusive hometown man. During the third round Allotey seemed to pause and look at referee John Keane for some inexplicable reason but as he did this Docherty smashed him with a straight right hand that proved that Allotey had a very sound chin as lesser men would have crumbled from such a blow. The remainder of the round witnessed Allotey on the defensive again and taking some more solid body blows but testament to his heart, Allotey would still counter back and landed a great right hand of his own.
As Allotey tried to establish a more solid jab in the fourth stanza he was met by more punishing blows from Docherty who’s countering left hook and straight right was now becoming a joy to watch. Docherty’s own jab was also playing more of a role in the fight as he used it to back up Allotey and keep him on the ropes where he did his best work to the body. As was now the story of the fight, the Ghanaian fighter blitzed back with both hands but Docherty was able to step out of range to nullify the attack.
Round five would see Docherty taking rare backwards steps whilst Allotey took on the mantle of the aggressor but a straight right hand from Docherty ensured that it was short lived. Allotey’s reply was a left hook but the continuation of what was a combination of shots all missed. The punishment for this was Docherty tearing into his opponent’s body with both hands and the vociferous crowd were all on their feet and roaring loudly for their fighter. Just before time was called on the round a head clash opened up a very small cut on Allotey’s left brow, but more than that, it seemed to signal a decline in Allotey’s spirit. The stage was now set for Docherty to try and finish off his opponent.
This was exactly what he did as he went straight after Allotey and pinned him in a neutral corner. It was here that he would put together his best sequence of punches to the head and body and referee Keane stepped in to call a halt to procedures after forty-six seconds of the round.
There was fury from the African corner as they believed the fight had been stopped due to Allotey’s cut and they were heard saying that Kpakpo’s cut was not as bad as Docherty’s in his last against Jabir. This was a fair point as Ringside Physician informed me that Allotey’s cut was not a bad one and was very shallow. However after they discussed the fight with referee Keane they realised that he had stepped in to prevent Allotey from taking any more punishment. This seemed to quell the Africans manager Kpakpo Reginald Handsome Thompson who then retracted his desire to lodge a protest about the fight but he did say that he expected better from a British referee.
After the fight, Docherty’s manager Tommy Gilmour was ecstatic about his man’s performance and stated that it was his belief that Craig is the #1 super-featherweight in Great Britain bar none. He also said “after that performance I think the other fighters are going to have to come to us, not us going to them. Craig is the number one for the British title and also for the European so we have a lot of options for Craig’s future”
He was also quick to lavish praise of Docherty’s trainer, John McDermott saying “ John had him prepared just right and today I saw a Craig Docherty I never knew existed. He was fantastic! It is the best performance from a Scottish fighter for ten years.”
Another potential avenue for Docherty was a fight with IBO champion Cassius Baloyi, a fighter who Gilmour has shares in and will be watching in three weeks time in South Africa.
Docherty’s own views on the fight and the future were “I knew from some of the punches that glanced off me that he was a big puncher but I knew from the fourth round onwards that I had him and that I would beat him. I will just keep my feet on the ground and will be going on holiday for about a week now before getting back in the gym again.”
When I asked about the potential clash with Baloyi Docherty was quick to proclaim himself ready for such a test as he said “I’d be ready for Baloyi just now, no doubt about it. I definitely feel I’m capable of beating fighters like him”
I believe that Docherty will be steered towards a European title shot against Russian Boris Sinitsin (provided he is still the champion after his defence this coming Thursday) and Tommy Gilmour believes it is a fight he could bring to Glasgow. Certainly on the evidence of last nights fight and on the ever-improving nature of Docherty’s abilities you would be a brave man to suggest that he has found his level with the Commonwealth title.