Unbeaten Scottish prospect Craig McEwan had to battle hard to a ten round majority verdict win over super tough Californian veteran Danny Perez on Friday night in their Top of the Bill bout at The Pechanga Casino, Temecula, California. McEwan, cut in the opening round by a head clash, showed real character to battle through to what was by far the toughest test of his career so far. Perez rushed forward from the first bell, throwing wild hooks and overhand rights trying to catch the Scot cold but McEwan countered with classy combinations and slick defensive footwork to edge the close early rounds..
Perez had more sucess in the middle rounds as the bout developed into a “rough-house” and twice the Edinburgh boxer was thrown to the canvas.The experienced Californian also made effective but illegal use of head and elbow as McEwan seemed to tire, allowing Perez to land left hooks to the body and head and big overhand rights to his taller opponents chin.
It was all to fight for with three rounds to go as both men stood toe to toe in the center of the ring, the younger McEwan digging deep to out-punch the battle hardened American all the way to the final bell.In the end it was the courage and heart of the Hollywood based Scot which won through and although one judge gave it as a draw,the other two had McEwan up by seven rounds to three.Perez seemed to have no complaints at the decision and raised his opponents hand in a fine sporting gesture.
Afterwards McEwan revealed that he had been slowed by injured ankle ligaments, damaged as he was thrown to the floor in the early rounds but was offering no excuses for what was, for him, a poor performance.”Danny Perez took Antonio Margarito to a split decision early in his career and Toni went on to become a world champion.Nothing went right for me tonight and I had to dig deep. I know where I have to improve and will be working hard from now on every aspect of my game”.
His trainer,Freddy Roach, was also critical of his fighter`s performance.”Craig has been out of The Wildcard and in Scotland for the last couple of months for the birth of his son and it showed. He is one of the toughest fighters I know but today he was just not fit enough for the job in hand.He has the talent to go to the very top but he has to be better prepared than this”
McEwan now has nineteen victories under his belt with no losses.Perez now 34-8 (17kos) and has never been stopped.