Words – Jack Heather
Images – (c) Manjit Narotra
Shannon Willey vs. Naheem Ali
Shannon Willey returned to winning ways on BCB’s Bad Intentions at the Holiday Inn Queensway, in Birmingham city centre.
The 29-year-old welterweight prospect secured a 40-36 points victory over Naeem Ali to improve his record to 5-1-0.
It was a much-improved performance from the BCB promotions-managed fighter, winning every round against 109-fight veteran Ali.
A draw with the experienced Petar Aleksandrov last time out left the Exeter native disappointed and keen to make amends in his next outing.
Willey did exactly that as he dominated all four rounds and made it six unbeaten as a pro.
Ameen Khalid vs. Jahfieus Faure
Ameen Khalid survived a second-round knockdown en route to a 57-56 points victory over Jehfieus Faure on BCB’s Bad Intentions in Birmingham.
Khalid was dropped midway through the second round after Faure landed a straight right hand that sent the 26-year-old to the canvas.
The Worcester native was momentarily hurt but recovered to narrowly edge out the experienced Faure after six rounds at the Holiday Inn, Queensway.
The lightweight prospect got off to the perfect start, winning the opener comfortably and even stunned Faure with a right hand at the end of the round.
Khalid continued to have success at the start of the second but his eagerness to land one big shot meant he often put himself in harm’s way and it wasn’t long before he was punished.
Faure was determined to make his mark on the contest and as both men planted their feet and traded right hands, it was the 37-year-old that landed the heavier blow.
Despite the knockdown and the initial lack of concentration, Khalid did rally in the final rounds and secured the points decision, moving to 5-0.
It may not be a performance Khalid will be satisfied with, but it may provide a crucial learning curve needed for the former amateur champion to reach the next level.
Troy Jones vs. Harry Matthews
Troy Jones made it four knockouts in a row as he stopped Harry Matthews in front of a raucous hometown crowd.
Jones topped the bill on BCB’s Bad Intentions at the Holiday Inn Queensway, In Birmingham city centre and had substantial support as he moved to 7-0.
Jones landed a well-disguised left hook to the body that sent Matthews to the canvas at the end of the third, but the former English title challenger was saved by the bell.
It made little difference though as Jones ruthlessly attacked the body in the fourth and eventually scored another knockdown, this time keeping Matthews down for good.
The 25-year-old light heavyweight entered the contest with three consecutive stoppages and added to that impressive tally, improving his knockout percentage to 57%.
Matthews most recently lost to former British, European and Commonwealth champion Lerrone Richards, who also stopped the 95-fight veteran in the fourth.
The Chelmsley Wood-born boxer made the most of his substantial height and reach in the opener before settling into the contest in the following round.
Jones began to let his hands go and landed straight shots to the head and body before some vicious attacks to the body signalled the beginning of the end for Matthews.
Jones represented Solihull Boxing Club as an amateur but now trains under the tutelage of Lee Beard, with Jones scoring all four of his stoppages since the pair linked up.
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Boxing broadcast legend Steve Bunce was also in attendance for the card and treated the crowd to interviews with some of BCB’s impressive stable.
Champions Tyler Denny, Nathan Heaney, Liam Davies, Ricky Summers, Kirstie Bavington, Ijaz Ahmed, and Danny Ball were all in the ring, as were prospects Owen Cooper and Macauley Owen. Zach Parker was at a wedding.
