Brendan Galbraith – Grigor Sarohanian (1-0) vs Paddy McDonagh (debut) (4 x 3 minute rounds) – McDonagh (12 stone 11 Ilbs) made his pro debut against a very tough and durable Latvian opponent Grigor Sarohanian (12 stone 8 Ilbs). The first round was pretty even, with both men landing good shots. The Latvian native probably shaded the opener with impressive countering and sporadic flurries. McDonagh came into the fight more in the 2nd and 3rd rounds by pressing the fight and have some success, particularly with his left hand. Both men hit a lot of gloves and missed wild shots.
The final round was McDonagh’s best round – pressing well to land several good lefts to the head. He countered well and again had success. Feeling a little more confident towards the end of the fight, McDonagh introduced a couple of uppercuts that failed to make the desired impact. Overall, an impressive debut for McDonagh who faced a tough and dangerous opponent in Sarohanian. The ref raised McDonagh’s hand at the end and he won 39-37 on the scorecards..
Gavin Putney (debut) vs Niall Diamond (debut) 4 x 3 minute rounds)
Both fighters were making their pro debuts and the duel that unfolded was an all-action clash that largely abandoned the defensive side of the sweet science. The opening round was a trading match that eventually lead to Diamond (10 stone 11 Ilbs) sustaining a cut above the left eye. Putney (10 stone 12 Ilbs), who looked strong, landed good combos to the head and probably nicked the first round. In the second round, Diamond came back at Putney, who seemed exhausted after putting so much into the first round assault, landing good left shots to the body and head. Towards the end of the 2nd Putney got his second breath and stepped up his work rate and had an excellent spell with Diamond forced to back onto the ropes. The bell was sounded in the nick of time as the ref appeared to be taking a close look at Diamond. Round three. Although Putney was winning the fight, he looked gassed out and blowing hard for air – causing him to take breaks and drop his hands – much to the annoyance of his trainer, Graham Earl, who barked instructions at Putney to raise his hands. Putney again finished well and managed to land two big rights. Diamond countered well with combos of his own. In the final round, Diamond started brightly working behind a nice double jab and following with a left hook. But, Putney stepped up his work and landed strong body shots and a big right finally forcing his opponent to the canvas. With just 30 seconds of the final round remaining, the referee waved the fight off and Putney had scored a debut victory.
Jevgenijs Kiselevs (4-5) vs JJ McDonagh (debut) (4 x 3 minute rounds)
JJ McDonagh (12 stone 6 IIbs) made a dream start to the professional ranks by scoring a first round KO of his Latvian opponent, Jevgenijs Kiselevs (12 stone). McDonagh started with intent from the first bell and decked his Latvian opponent twice with powerful left handed shots. In the final knock-down, the referee, David Irving waved the fight off as Kiselevs signalled that he did not want to continue. It was a robust destruction that lasted 1 minute 56 seconds. JJ McDonagh looks like an exciting talent and one to keep an eye on in his future development.
Michael Devine (1-0) vs Michael Harvey (0-1) (4 x 3 minute rounds)
A few months earlier, both fighters made their pro debut, when they faced one another in a bout in Devine’s home location of Luton. On that occasion Devine prevailed to win by a third round KO. In the rematch, this time in Harvey’s backyard, in front of a vocal crowd of Harvey supporters, fight fans were treated to a real hammer and tongs clash that was all-action from the off. Harvey (9 stone 8 IIbs), boxing under the rubric of Team Alio, looked in great physical condition and aimed to avenge his debut loss on home soil. The opening round was a very close round to score with both men landing good scoring punches. Harvey was having success downstairs and worked his stiff jab, whilst Devine (9 stone 8 Ilbs) was landing good right combos to the body and head.
At the start of the second round, Devine set about carrying out his corner’s instructions, which were to execute right-handed head and body combo’s. Devine started by looking for the right. Harvey continued his work to the body and head and was cautioned for landing a low blow. Devine who looked to have a slight edge with his hand speed landed a big right on the money and dropped Harvey heavily to the canvas. Harvey tried to get up instantly, but his legs gave way and he collapsed to the canvas. His corner screamed instructions to take his count on one knee. Harvey got up to beat the count but still looked like he was hurt and looked dazed. This did not go unnoticed by Devine, who mouthed to his corner “he’s hurt” whilst Harvey was taking the count. The ref, David Irving, gave Harvey a chance to continue, but he was soon flattened a second time by Devine and was counted out. As a precaution the doctor gave Harvey oxygen when he had returned to his stool and when the oxygen mask was removed – the strong, loyal following of Harvey fans gave their man a well-deserved round of applause – as did the sporting Michael Devine.