James Beech Jnr edges title in a 10-round thriller

Beech got the nod over Chasetown’s Jones after an absorbing 10-round contest at the top of BCB Promotions’ Battle at the Banks’s show at Walsall Football Club. Beech just about managed to edge out the ambitious Jones 96-95 in a late candidate for fight of the year.

The two former sparring partners wasted no time getting stuck into each other and, full credit to both men, the pace of the tussle continued from first bell until last.

Beech started off well and looked to counter and tag Jones at every opportunity. The 22-year-old managed to just sit out of range of Jones’ shots or blocked them whenever he came straight forward.

Up close, though, Jones produced the better work and had some success in those middle rounds. Naturally stronger, the 25-year-old looked to close the distant and work on the inside.

Beech regained momentum and his rhythm down the stretch, and boxed beautifully at times as he picked his shot, landed, and then moved out of range. Jones continued to push forward and the two styles gelled well to create a small hall classic.

After 10 rounds, referee-for-the-evening Kevin Parker gave Beech the nod and crowned him Midlands Area Featherweight Champion. The fight also doubled up as an English Title Eliminator meaning the Bloxwich boxer will have eyes on national honours in 2020.

On the undercards, Tipton’s Ricky Summers returned to the ring with a bang. The 32-year-old former British Title Challenger made light work of the usually durable Raimonds Sniedze.

‘Digger’, looking to put a disappointing draw against Lawrence Osueke behind him, claimed the centre of the ring and worked off his trademark spear like jab. As the fight progressed, Summers began to put his shots together and caught his Latvian opponent with a short hook to the head that took him off his feet.

Sniedze beat the 10 count, but simply postponed the inevitable as Summers pounced and referee Parker waved this one off in the third round. Summers will have his eyes on a return to title action in the New Year.

Burntwood prospect Troi Coleman put on a classy performance against Lancashire’s Sam Omidi. The 24-year-old middleweight extended his record to 6-0 with a confident display.

Coleman came out strong from the first bell and used his long jab to put his punches together. Straight punches worked to good affect for The Hawk who recorded a 40-36 shut-out win on Parker’s card.