By James Slater: Last night in Manchester, reigning Commonwealth light-heavyweight champ Ovill McKenzie scored a crushing 3rd-round stoppage over former British super-middleweight ruler Tony Dodson. As his team had said beforehand, 32-year-old McKenzie, known as “The Upsetter,” was just too strong and too powerful for Dodson.
Four heavy, clubbing right hands finished the job in the 3rd, with referee Victor Loughlin diving in to save Dodson as his head snapped back and his body went limp along the ropes. The official time was one minute and six-seconds of the round. McKenzie, from Derby, is now 20-11(9). Liverpool’s ultra-popular Dodson is now 28-7-1(14).
Right from the first bell it was apparent how much bigger and thicker-set McKenzie was. Jumping right on Dodson, the former “Prizefighter” winner got his big right hand going. Dodson did his best to hold, under fire and on the ropes as he was. More right hands to the head scored for McKenzie and he also let loose with a couple of right uppercuts to the head. A big round for the defending champion.
Dodson came back well in the 2nd, letting his own shots go for the first time. Huge cheers accompanied any good work Dodson did and a right hand of his own did manage to drive McKenzie back.
The 3rd saw it all change again, however, as a hard right hand upstairs hurt and wobbled Dodson. McKenzie wasted no time going for the finish, three more rights sending the Liverpool warrior down. Up at the count of 9, Dodson was soon under more fire. Four clubbing rights crashed home for “The Upsetter,” and the fight was all over.
McKenzie, possessing a truly deceiving pro record, said post-fight that he wants to go the very top now. A third fight with Tony Bellew is a fight he wants, as is a shot at WBO 175-pound king Nathan Cleverly. But is McKenzie too dangerous and, as BoxNation host Steve Bunce asked last night, is he too much risk with no real reward?
Last night’s main event was proceeded by a nice, respectful final ten-bell count for the late, great Angelo Dundee. The fans in attendance paid their respects to the Hall of Fame trainer who passed away t