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Clean sweep for four stars of boxing show

27/ 1/2003

COLLYHURST and Moston Gym's new breed of boxers made a clean sweep at Preston Guild Hall. Michael Jennings, Thomas McDonagh, David Barnes and Matthew Hall, appeared on the undercard to WBU middleweight champion, and fellow Mancunian, Anthony 'The Warrior' Farnell.

Jennings extended his winning streak to 19 fights by demolishing Leroy Williamson in four rounds. The 23-year-old welterweight delighted the 800 fans who made the short trip, with a devastating display of pin-point jabbing and mazy footwork against a tough opponent from Birmingham. Williamson failed to come back from the early assault and retired during the fourth round interval.

Coach Brian Hughes said: "This was a first-class job by Michael, He did the business in impressive style, and you can't ask for more than that. He has not been hyped up like a lot of these so-called young prospects. He just goes about his business and lets his ability speak for itself.

"If there is any justice in boxing, Michael Jennings will become a champion."

Blackley-based McDonagh's title hopes could have taken a battering after he was floored for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old light-middleweight was hoping his rematch with Brazilian Tomas Da Silva, whom he drew with in November last year, would put him in the frame for an Intercontinental title in April. But a poor performance saw him receive a standing count in the second round after some fine body blows from Da Silva.

Surprisingly, McDonagh, who was defending his 19-bouts undefeated record, was given the six-round contest on points.

Trainer Brian Hughes said: "This was a bad night for Thomas. He looked a shadow of his normal self and appeared disinterested. He lacked ideas against an ordinary opponent. I honestly thought Thomas won their last fight quite clearly. Things have a habit of evening themselves out, and this time he got the decision.

"I don't know whether Frank Warren will put him into a championship match on this showing. We will have to wait and see."

• HIGHLY rated David Barnes' win over Frenchman Brice Faradji will give the inexperienced youngster food for thought. The 21-year-old welterweight, who has a 100 per cent record after 11 bouts, has been tipped for greatness by a stream of admirers which include Frank Warren.

But despite convincingly taking the contest on points he was given numerous problems by the seasoned Faradji. The Frenchman's defensive tactics frustrated Barnes' countless attacks as he looked for a knockout opportunity.

Hughes said: "David met one of those fighters who can make anybody look bad. This Frenchman has been around the European rings and is a survivor. You could he was not going to stand and trade punches. David will have learned a lot from this bout."

Middleton youngster Matthew Hall continued his impressive career start to win his third professional fight. The 18-year-old light-middleweight, from Langley, destroyed Clive Johnson.

Hall, who made headlines when he became the country's youngest professional, took the four-round fight straight to the Londoner, with a combination of crushing head and body blows. Johnson, aged 26, failed to stem the attack as Hall used his thunderous strength to overpower his opponent and win on points.

Hughes said: "This was a learning fight for Matthew. The knockouts will come. He is only a baby in this business. If we could've got him more fights as an amateur we would have kept him there for a bit longer, but we couldn't. He only had seven amateur fights in the last three years. That is no good for any aspiring youngster. At least now we can keep him busy and monitor his opposition.

"This was a good win. He got his punches off much better than in his last fight. The best is yet to come."