Wolverhampton’s Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards dedicated his latest victory to his grandmother who passed away earlier this week.
The 32 year-old welterweight continued his fine form since turning over to the professional ranks as he recorded his third straight victory at The Hangar Events Venue, Wolverhampton, on Friday evening.
Earlier in the week Osbourne-Edwards’ beloved nan, Elizabeth Osbourne, passed away and the likeable Wolverhampton boxer admitted that he almost pulled out of his headliner as a result.He managed to channel the strength to fight on though and, in front of his partisan crowd, The Kundalini King boxed well to record a 40-36 win over Newark’s Fonz Alexander.
Osbourne-Edwards’ popularity continues to grow; as does his boxing prowess. It was a patient and controlled performance against Alexander on an evening that was full of adrenaline and emotion.
Cannock middleweight Ollie Cooper also moved to 3-0 with a composed performance against Manchester’s Josh Cook.
Tall and rangy at the weight, Cooper didn’t rush his work and caught Cook cold with a number of solid hooks that looked to have his opponent in trouble in the opening stanza. Credit to Cook though he bit down on his gum shield and, as Cooper realised Cook was there for the duration, began to pick his shots and eased to a 40-37 win.
Telford flyweight Bradley Thompson stepped into the unknown against Jack Dwyer. Dwyer, with a solitary loss on his one fight record, absolutely came to win and stood in front of Thompson for the entire four rounds.
Thompson’s superior array of shots and footwork kept the game Liverpudlian at bay but it was a different test for the highly touted Telford fighter. Class shone through in the end with Thompson recording a 40-36 win to move to 3-0.After getting the better of Kearon Thomas back in November, Andy Owen was at it again.
The Staffordshire super middleweight’s superior fitness showed against his Walsall-based opponent who, as usual, was as game as they come.
Owen had much more in the tank though and that allowed him to dictate the pace and keep Thomas on the back foot to record back-to-back 40-36 wins over his now familiar foe.
Darlaston’s Vicky Wilkinson moved to 2-0 as she defeated experienced Pole, Bojana Libiszewska.
The lightweight pair stood and traded for all eight minutes and Wilkinson can be pleased with her work rate and durability against the teak tough Libiszewska.
On his pro bow, Essington’s Ryan ‘Rampage’ Cotterell made light work of Dave Preston.The stellar amateur introduced himself to the professional ranks by showing his heavy hands.
Landing bomb after a bomb, a perfectly timed overhand right, right on the bell of the first round sent Preston sprawling to the canvass. Unable to recover, the Dudley man saw his night cut short. Impressive from Cotterell.
The action was complete with a real barnstormer.
Birmingham bantamweight Matthew ‘Swiggy’ Craddock moved to 5-1 as he put Lancashire’s Stevie ‘Livewire’ Maguire to the sword after an absorbing contest that ebbed and flowed.
Craddock had Maguire down in the second and looked like he was in control before being sat down himself in the third.
Credit to Swiggy though, he bit down on his gum shield and saw the six rounder through to a 58-55 finish.
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