03.07.05 – By Tony Nobbs: Danny Green (20-2, 19 KO’s) scored a fifth round stoppage of out gunned American James Crawford (40-11-2 17 KO’s and 2 NC) in front of a sold out Challenge Stadium in Perth, West Australia on Sunday night. In his first outing under new trainer Ismael Salas, it was a composed and dominant victory for Green who used the straight left to a treat, setting up the stoppage with damaging body shots and consistent pressure. The win perhaps bringing the long awaited domestic super fight with Anthony Mundine one step closer.
Crawford was gradually worn down by the Australian and was stunned by a stiff jab at the end of the fourth. In the fifth round Crawford took a knee at the 55 second mark after another solid left snapped his head back. An accumulation of blows forced a second knockdown and the fight was waved off by referee Brad Vocale at 2:08 of the round when a right hand rocked James who fell near his own corner for the third knockdown in the round. Crawford switch – hit from the opening stanza and tried to make a fight of it but lacked the hand speed or power to bother Green at any time. He was also cut under the right eye in round two and on the right eyelid by a punch in the third. He was also down in the second ruled a slip. Green weighed 170 lb, Crawford 171.3 lb.
A good all – round performance from Green who will gain confidence.
In the ring after the fight Green thanked the support of his fans and team saying he did what he trained to do.
“I’m very happy and content with my performance. I give a lot of credit to James Crawford, he showed a big heart and big balls to boot”.
“I’m not worried about critics.”
“A big thankyou to my new trainer Ismael Salas, an absolute legend”.
As he was leaving the ring he again took the mike and challenged Mundine.
“Lets do it Choc. Lets get it on. Lets do it now”.
Shortly after at ringside Green was on a mobile phone.
“It was Anthony Mundine, He wants to fight. We will talk during the week and we will get it on”.
Commentator Andy Raymond then got on the phone to Mundine and repeated what the former WBA champion said.
“I’m willing to fight the guy an time. It’s easy work for me. I’m happy to bring it on and lets do it’.
“All he has to do is sign the contract.”
In the main support, WBO # 2 jnr middleweight Daniel Dawson (21-0, 14 KO’s) from Craig Christian’s stable at Harrys Gym in Perth out worked lanky Paraguay Jorge Perez (14-7-1, 13 KO’s) recoding a unanimous eight round verdict. Perez showed toughness and a difficult style but he couldn’t get any offence going due to shocking boots, having problems with his grip all the way through. Scores 80-71, 80-71 and 80-70.
National # 6 super middleweight Daniel ‘ Porky’ Lovett (9-2, 6 KO’s) outpointed a very game Thai Saiseelek Sakseepueng (10-5-1, 3 KO’s ?) over eight rounds. Scores 79-71, 79-71 and 79-72. Lovett is trained by former Aussie amateur star Jimmy Slatter in Victoria.
The brilliant skill of Perth based Guyanan Gairy St Clair (37-3-2, 16 KO’s) predictably proved to much for Thailand’s Chawan Sor Vorapin (15-6-1, 4 KO’s ?) resulting in a four round TKO at jnr lightweight. Vorapin tried hard and had a strong third round before St Clair picked it up a touch, scoring a knockdown shortly before RSC at 2 min 58. St Clair is rated # 2 by the WBO at 126 pounds with his only losses being to world champions Diego Corrales, Vivian Harris and Leo Dorin. He needs a shot
soon.
WA’s Albert Howell (2-0) and NSW’s Nagin Gurumu (2-5) battled it out to a four round majority draw in a welterweight scrap.
In a battle of southpaws to open the card Athens featherweight rep “Iron’ Ryan Langham (3-0, 2 KO’s and 140 lb) stopped willing Thai opponent Singsamut Eausampan (13-8, 4 KO’s and 142 lb) at 2 min 36 of the fourth and final round.
The rangy Langham struggled in the first round before getting his rhythm against the strong import who won a points victory over Aussie # 5 jnr middle Edgar Wymarra in Febuary on the Mundine-Castillo card in Queensland. In the end Langhams class told and after a clash of heads in the final round which knocked the Thai down and his mouthpiece out, Ryan (rated # 6 in Australia at Jnr Lightweight) kept peppering away until RSC. Langham was a late replacement for his gym mate, IBF # 4 jnr
welter Noefel Ben Rabah and on this performance he is headed for big things. He is now based at Harrys Gym in Perth.
Promoters: Green Machine Promotions. Commentators: Andy Raymond and Col. Bob Sheridan.