Willie Casey wins Prizefighter
There was high drama on a remarkable Saturday night at York Hall which played host to the greatest incarnation of Prizefighter yet. Dark horse Willie Casey made a name for himself by coming through the commotion and taking the trophy back to Limerick.
Barry Hearns' FA Cup of boxing lived up to its name with some thrilling encounters as the super-bantamweights held nothing back. It proved to be an excellent platform for the young, hungry talent involved in this explosive contest.
Casey is known as “The Big Bang” and he showed the crowd why with the only knockout of the night against Mark Moran in the first match. The anvil-fisted Irishman dropped the former British champion to advance through to the second round where he was to meet Josh Wale.
“The Outlaw” came through his own battle in a thrilling match up with veteran Esham Pickering as youth prevailed over experience. Wale’s rampaging style was too much for the leggy looking Pickering who couldn’t get to grips with the short-bout format.
That was the first of four consecutive split-decisions. Next up Jamie Arthur and Rob Turley in what was the only disappointment of the night as Arthur plodded his way to victory in a turgid clinch-and-scuffle affair.
We then had an absolute firecracker, favourite Ricky Owen stepped in with rank outsider Gavin Reid and the action really stepped up. Owen looked assured and in control from the start. The slick southpaw outclassed his opponent and landed a couple of quick hooks early on and it looked a formality for the favourite. Reid’s chin held up well under constant pressure and he showed real bravery just to make it to the end of the round.
Yet the bout took a breathtaking change in the second when Reid, who by all intents and purposes should have been out, dropped Owen from close range with a short hook.
It looked like we were set for a huge upset as punters clasped their betting slips as Owen barely beat the count. When he was up his legs had now become rubber and the Welshman clung on for dear life. Reid looked as shocked as anyone but failed to capitalise as Owen stumbled around the ring out on his feet. Bravely the Welshman who now had spaghetti for legs fought his way back in and again rocked Reid with his slick left that almost sent him down. Yet again the Redcar man took the punches, but Owen’s revival was enough to save him from a 10-8 round.
Into a rousing third round and Owen was still not sure of victory and looked for a knockout. He came at Reid with all he had as the pair slogged it out. In the end the Welshman got the got the spilt-decision and was through by the skin of his teeth.
The drama continued in to the semis as The Big Bang took his heavy hands against the all action Turley as the two exploded in the ring. It wasn’t as straightforward for Casey this time, as his powerful punches were shrugged off by the rampaging Turley. However the Irishman was always the more composed and aggressive of the two and he did just enough to secure the final spot by split-decision once again.
It was a Welsh derby in the second semi, which saw a still shell-shocked Owen step in the ring with the disappointing Arthur. Once again the 2002 Commonwealth gold medallist brought a brutal fight but it was met by a stubborn defence by the tournament favourite, who took a unanimous decision. However Owen looked absolutely shattered and both boxers were cut bad.
A mouth-watering clash between Casey and Owen was set, however more drama was still to come as the doctor ruled out Owen on the basis of his cut and in came a very lucky substitute.
Paul McElhinney enjoyed the most profitable afternoon he will ever have by collecting around £16,000 for nine minutes work.
It seemed unfortunate that someone who didn’t work as hard as the other guys got a crack at the final, but that’s life. The Scotsman came in fresh and gave it a good go.
Casey obviously more weary after his previous two fights couldn’t unleash his big shots as frequently but he did hurt McElhinney a couple of times and in the end justice was served as the man from Limerick took home the trophy and the big cash prize.
It proved to be a magnificent night of domestic boxing and a great advert for the sport. It’s a shame it ended as it did and this substitute rule is something they are going to need to have a look at. Cuts will happen and in a tournament like this they will dictate what happens, as we saw in the last Prizefighter with Herbie Hide as well as this one. Perhaps it would be fairer to allow one of the losers another go with a purse split more in favour of the undefeated fighter.
Either way it was a great night for Casey who is definitely one to keep your eye on in the future. The man from Ireland has an incredible 22 brothers and sisters and so he probably won’t have much of his prize money left once he’s through buying all the celebratory drinks.
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