UK Boxing: Ovill McKenzie Wins Prizefighter Cruiserweight Title; Haywood Returns To Action In Stoke

OVILL McKENZIE has won the Prizefighter Cruiserweights title after an exciting night of knockdowns and shocks. Former Commonwealth Champion McKenzie defeated John Keeton on points in a thrilling final in front of a capacity crowd at the Earl’s Court in London to scoop the £25,000 top prize. Every one of the eight fighters in the line-up had fought or held either a European, Commonwealth or British belt and it promised to be the best Prizefighter event so far. The Sky Sports-televised show did not disappoint as there were six knockdowns before the final, the most in any of the seven Prizefighter events, with three contests not going the distance..

The final was between two outsiders as Keeton and McKenzie were priced at 16/1 and 12/1 respectively at the start of the competition.

Keeton, a former British Champion, was celebrating his 37th birthday but could not get the ideal present as he lost 28-29, 28-29, 27-30 in a hard-fought final.

McKenzie, who was drafted in as a late replacement for the injured Mark Krence, was the lightest of the fighters but that did not stop him performing at his best in one of the biggest nights in his career.

He had moved up from light-heavyweight to be in this competition and had only had two weeks notice. But he clinched the title thanks to victories over former IBF world title challenger Terry Dunstan and Darren Corbett before triumphing against Keeton.

It was an evening of big shocks as three of the four highly-fancied fighters lost in the first round before favourite Dean Francis suffered a surprise defeat in the first semi-final.

Francis had produced one of the best performances of the night when he dominated against Neil Simpson before it was stopped in the third round.

However, Francis, who was priced at 1/9 to make the final after the quarter-final, was floored twice in two and a half minutes against Keeton in the opening semi-final.

The other quarter-finals saw Keeton gain a points win over Bruce Scott and Darren Corbett do likewise against Micky Steeds

The Prizefighter Series – Cruiserweights

Earl’s Court, London – Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Results

Winner – £25,000, runner-up £12,000 – losing semi-finalists £8,000, losing quarter-finalists £4,000

QF 1: Dean Francis bt Neil Simpson – RSF R3
QF 2: John Keeton bt Bruce Scott – PTS – 29-28, 29-28, 28-27
QF 3: Terry Dunstan lost to Ovill McKenzie – PTS – 25-30, 27-28, 28-29
QF 4: Micky Steeds lost to Darren Corbett – PTS – 26-29, 27-30, 27-3
SF 1: Dean Francis lost to John Keeton – KO R1
SF 2: Ovill McKenzie beat Darren Corbett – RSF R2
F: John Keeton lost to Ovill McKenzie – PTS – 28-29, 28-29, 27-30

Scott Haywood Returns To Action In Stoke

Former English light welterweight titlist Scott Haywood makes his return to the ring on the undercard of the Chris Edwards vs. Ahmed Usman British flyweight title clash on Friday, May 29 in Stoke, England.

Haywood, 19-3 (4), was last seen in the squared circle at Barnsley Metrodome in February during an unsuccessful bid to unseat world rated Commonwealth king Ajose Olusegun.

The lanky 6 footer saw a seven bout win streak snapped against Olusegun and will now look to get back on the horse in a six rounder at Stoke’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

Facing Haywood in the opposite corner will be former amateur standout Michael Frontin, originally from Mauritius, who now makes London his home.

Frontin, 1-5-1 (0), is far better than his record indicates as he’s been thrown in with the likes of seasoned veterans Oluseguin and Scott Lawton as well as hot prospects such as Nicki Smedley and Ben Murphy.

Combined, Frontin’s opponents brought a cumulative record of 82-13 into their contests with the 31 year old African native.

Frontin, who holds a victory over Murphy and held Ryan Barrett to a draw, will be looking to spoil the return of Haywood, who must win this contest of he is to have a prayer of recapturing his former standing as one of Britain’s top light welters.

Frank Maloney Presents the Flyweight Championship of Britain between reigning champion Chris Edwards and challenger Usman Ahmed with full undercard at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent, England on Friday, May 29, 2009

Tickets are on sale at £35 and £75 and available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.

Sky Sports will broadcast live on SS1 starting at 10PM.