Thunder and Lightning: Rafferty Vs. Chamberlain in Review
The BBBofC British and Commonwealth Boxing Council Super-Lightweight titles facilitated a thunderous draw in Altrincham.
Image Courtesy of Eight Count.
Introduction
Often, in this contemporary age, this sport is one that can spend too much effort on indulging the ostentatious and extravagant; gone are the hazy, gruff halls of an antiquated England and, in their place, are the bright, sickly lights of Las Vegas and Riyadh.
Although, there are still nights that inspire, even in less lavish circumstances. These nights, so often, are inspired by the BBBofC British and Commonwealth Boxing Council titles; these, after all, carry the weight of generations in their fabric.
At Planet Ice in Altrincham, Cheshire - a venue with a capacity of roughly 2,400 - those titles, once again, became the epicentre of a British and Commonwealth bonanza, as ‘The Demolition Man’ and ‘Thunder’ fought to a majority draw.
In the co-main event slot, Zak Miller’s Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight title also facilitated a conflict, as Miller won out against a resolute Lyon Woodstock.
Jack Rafferty Vs. Mark Chamberlain - BBBofC British & Commonwealth Boxing Council Super-Lightweight
The longest unbeaten streak in the contemporary British scene, in a sense, remains in-tact, as neither man was greater than the other, in their attempt to either win or retain the BBBofC British and Commonwealth Boxing Council Super-Lightweight titles.
Certainly, even with the moniker of Make or Break, neither Jack Rafferty (26-0-1) or Mark Chamberlain (17-1-1) rejected the notion of being broken, as they fought across twelve blood-soaked rounds to a majority draw, with Rafferty retaining his titles.
Chamberlain, perhaps haunted by the upset loss on the undercard of Joshua-Dubois, fought like a man with everything to lose and provided stern resistance as the contest began. The challenger certainly threw more shots, although Rafferty responded with some spearing straight shots; one of which cut Chamberlain in the third, throwing a right-hand that cut the left eye.
In a cruel twist of fate for such a spirited challenger, Chamberlain’s cut also received a partner on the opposite eye in the fourth; none of this inspired Chamberlain to slow in output.
Rafferty’s ill-habit of keeping his head static was a major flaw against Chamberlain, who threw more and landed with just as much accuracy. Chamberlain, perceived as a puncher, proved as much of a threat against Rafferty, who was clearly wary of the Portsmouth fighter’s punches.
By the halfway point, Chamberlain was slowly draining the gas-tank. Although, Chamberlain could not become diminished in heart and threw with as much exactness as those early stages. Rafferty, sensing the changes in Chamberlain, threw a particularly sickening left-hook that the challenger was able to withstand.
In fact, much of the second half of the contest was dominated by Rafferty, who kept the spite in his shots throughout. In the last stages, the titleist wound the pressure down, rather than up; such a mistake likely cost Rafferty the closing rounds. Chamberlain, meanwhile, won the eleventh with a strong last stand.
By the end of the final stanza, both men won a tremendous amount of respect. Both also wore the damage of their contest.
Judge John Latham scored the contest in favour of Chamberlain, with a margin of 115-114, whilst Mark Lyson and Michael Alexander both went with an equal scorecard of 114-114.
Without a doubt, given Chamberlain’s position with Turki Alalshikh and Rafferty’s own desire to land a spot on a Riyadh Season or The Ring Magazine card, their rematch could easily feature in Riyadh or, perhaps, the undercard of Eubank Jr. Vs. Benn II.
Jack Turner Vs. Nicolas Agustin Muguruza - WBA International Super-Flyweight
Jack Turner (12-0) is something special and something completely undeniable.
Whilst the aspirations of a world title lies with the likes of Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1) and Moses Itauma (13-0), it is the super-flyweight from Liverpool that also deserves such credentials, with another captivating professional performance; this time, against tough Argentine Nicolas Agustin Muguruza (11-1).
Both men sought to throw at the onset of their contest and they consistently fought as though the final bell was a mere afterthought; something that would not catch up to the will of their fists.
Certainly, Muguruza was the most durable opponent of Turner’s tenure and did not wilt at some of the exorbitant shots thrown by the Liverpudlian. In fact, for every single shot thrown by Turner, Muguruza would throw a bouquet of bunches.
The circumstances required Turner to highlight some defence, too, with the notorious puncher able to sit on the ropes and throw in a defensive manner; this was the sort of contest that was necessary, at this stage.
Soon enough, Turner’s granite fists drew blood and, with that, the predatory killer instincts of the Liverpudlian were on display. A mighty left-hook caught Muguruza with the equivalent force of a vehicle pile-up, piling Muguruza in a heap on the floor.
In a valiant - but wasted - effort, Muguruza stood, only for Turner to flood the Argentine with the mauling of ‘El Terrier’. Referee Michael Alexander called it off.
Jack Turner won via TKO in the sixth.
Lewis Richardson Vs. Artjom Spatar
Lewis Richardson (2-0), the only participant of the 2024 Paris Olympic TeamGB squad to secure a position on the podium, won against the known journeyman Artjom Spatar (5-17-1) in the exact fashion that the Essex southpaw predicted; simply put, it was clinical.
Still exhibiting some tendencies of an amateur basis, Richardson did seek to sit on shots and emphasise them with more strength; although, more often than not, the amateur mindset held Richardson from unleashing more spiteful mannerisms.
It was very much an effort to score points against an opponent without power and technique, as Spatar spent much of the contest rushing into a poorly-constructed clinch. Either way, Richardson still caught a few shots throughout.
Mark Lyson scored their effort 60-54 in favour of Richardson.
Zak Miller Vs. Lyon Woodstock - Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight
Lyon Woodstock (16-5) brought a particular intensity to the build-up, with ‘The Lion’ living in the depths of a metaphor; one that envisaged the challenger as a prisoner in chains, with a sense of pain in the vestiges.
However, the reigning Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight titleist Zak Miller (17-1) was more direct and sardonic in the face of these antics, challenging Woodstock with something more grounded and cutting.
This was a dichotomy also evident in their conflict, with Miller able to diffuse Woodstock’s sensibilities with a direct edge, throughout a distance of twelve.
Certainly, such edges cut through Woodstock physically, with the early durations seeing Woodstock’s eye receive diligent punishment after a loathsome cut in the clinch. Miller sought to throw with length and discipline, two factors that prevented Woodstock from carrying significant weight throughout the contest.
At the sight of blood-flow, Woodstock put pace and output at the fore of his approach, giving Miller something to contend with.
Miller, more selective in shots and collected in composure, still dominated through the intensity that Woodstock delivered in those late stages, as some screw-shots kept Woodstock honest. By the latest rounds, Woodstock was cut on the other eye, whilst Miller was also slightly scarred by their attritional conflict.
It was also a chance for the defending titleist to highlight some athleticism, as Miller became something of a cerebral mover. Their final three minutes were excellent, as Woodstock threw with every intentions of ending matters, whilst Miller met such thoughts with fists. Neither man won out, however.
Judges Mark Lyson and Michael Alexander both provided a score of 117-112 and Darren Sarginson went with a measure of 117-111, all in favour of Zak Miller, who retains the Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight title.
Undercard
Henry Turner (15-1), a previous challenger to Jack Rafferty, spent little time regulating to the 147lbs division, reducing an intended stretch of eight to less than one, against Ivan Blazevic (8-2).
Known as a fantastic and capable amateur boxer, Turner began the campaign through the welterweight division in a more blitzkrieg fashion, demonstrating quite the mature offensive arsenal upon Blazevic, who had yet to suffer defeat via stoppage.
The southpaw, known as ‘The Showman’, put on a defensive showcase too, by evading the willing visitor’s own selection of shots. There was a divide in skill, one that Turner sought to cleave open. Of which, Turner did in the third.
Throwing to the body with both hands, Blazevic soon made acquaintance with the fabric of the ring; soon, the Bosnian made another visit and referee Darren Sarginson brought it to an end.
Henry Turner won via TKO in the third stanza.
Nelson Birchall (9-0), a super-featherweight with the professed title of ‘The Sexy One’, also spent less than three minutes in the ring, with an attractive barrage ending any hopes of Argentine visitor Federico Sebastian Pedraza (14-5-1).
The Morecambe native with a 66% knockout ratio, who was rejected by twelve other domestic super-featherweights, kept busy with a rabid, rapid finish over a foreign foe.
All it took was a single left-hook to cripple any desire or will out of Pedraza, who elected to remain on the floor for the full count. The win might do little to attract national attention from Birchall’s peers, which is a sign that there is clearly a desire to come into contendership by his next appearance.
Nelson Birchall won via KO, nineteen seconds into the opening round.
The last feature of eight came via the lightweight savagery of Steven Cairns (12-0), who also sought to eliminate any chance of seeing the distance against Kirk Stevens (7-5-1).
A strong reputation within the Irish circuit is not the only strength that Cairns carries, as previous BBBofC Midlands Area Super-Lightweight titleist Stevens became far too familiar with; in fact, Cairns sent the southpaw Stevens to the canvas on three occasions in a space of five.
A spiteful puncher, Stevens did not contain the resistance required to last against Cairns, who threw some lacerating body shots throughout. Referee Mark Lyson called it off in the fifth.
Another leap in class should come at the end of the year, perhaps for an Irish regional title.
Steven Cairns won via fifth round TKO.
The other contests were all fought over a distance of six, featuring many of the lesser known signees under the Queensberry Promotions banner.
Charlie Senior (2-0), an English-born Australian, partook in the second fight of his ledger under Queensberry Promotions, with the Olympic bronze medalist banking six against known Nicaraguan Darwing Martinez (8-35-2).
Fought at featherweight, it was nothing but dominant for Senior, with an eclectic range of shots thrown at the durable and elusive Martinez throughout; simply put, it was a showcase of everything that Senior can offer, at this point.
After this, it would be preferable to see Senior’s strength put to the test - or, otherwise, his chin.
Referee Darren Sarginson gave a score of 60-54 in favour of the Australian.
Jack Power (6-0) of the 160lbs division exhibited little of what his surname might suggest, with a more single-paced approach seeing the thirty year old through all six rounds with Estonian journeyman Dmitri Protkunas (8-23-1).
Quite the late-comer to the professional depths of the sport, Power brings a rather uninspiring presence to the ring and a lack - ironically - of power and spite, with the majority of his shots designed to control Protkunas, rather than put the Estonian down.
As a seasoned journeyman, Protkunas made it through without incident, although there is every chance that someone exploits those particular weaknesses in Power’s pedagogy sooner, rather than later.
Referee Darren Sarginson provided a scorecard of 60-54.
At the end of the night, two further contests kept spectators in their seats, with the 160lbs division receiving further attention.
Anthony Crolla’s Irish pupil Eoghan Lavin (6-0) won a points decision over journeyman Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-31). Stephen Clarke of Rotunda ABC in Liverpool also won on points against Joe Hardy (5-36).
Fight of the Night - Jack Rafferty Vs. Mark Chamberlain
Round of the Night - Zak Miller Vs. Lyon Woodstock (R12)
Stoppage of the Night - Nelson Burchall KO1 Federico Sebastian Pedraza
Performance of the Night - Jack Turner & Nicolas Agustin Muguruza