#MTKFightNight Crocker vs Greene results
All the results for Wednesday’s (August 26) huge #MTKFightNight at Production Park Studios in Wakefield, live on in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on iFL TV.
There were upsets, scares, and plenty of knockdowns over the six-fight event and all the details are below:
Bout 1
Lightweight, 6 Rounds
JAMES MCGIVERN vs. JAMIE QUINN
James McGivern PTS WIN 60-54 – Jamie Quinn
It was a fantastic start to life in the paid ranks for James McGivern, as he earned a convincing points win over the experienced Jamie Quinn.
Amateur sensation McGivern was making his highly-anticipated professional debut, and he lived up to expectations as he dominated every round, landing some big body shots on his way to a 60-54 points verdict after six rounds.
McGivern said:"It felt brilliant to be back in the ring finally. The difference between being an amateur and training, and training as a professional is huge, this has been a lot harder.
"We knew the opponent was tough, and people will look at the record and thing he must be terrible, but he's as tough as he comes. He took every shot I threw. I loved every bit of it in there, and I can't wait until I can get back to Belfast to fight because I'd pack the Ulster Hall out."
Bout 2
Super-lightweight, 8 Rounds
GARY CULLY vs. CRAIG WOODRUFF
Gary Cully PTS WIN 77-75 – Craig Woodruff
An incredible bout went down between Gary Cully and Craig Woodruff, as Cully got up off the canvas to earn a hard-fought points win against his Welsh rival.
It was a competitive battle between the two men, but the fight came to life in round five when Woodruff dropped Cully. The Irish champion was able to get back to his feet, before then finishing the round strongly, landing some huge shots.
Cully was able to get the better of the action over the course of the eight rounds, with the referee scoring it 77-75 in his favour after a fantastic contest.
Cully said: "Fair play to Craig. He woke me up in the fifth round. I thought I won the first four rounds and probably switched off a bit. It's all experience for later on in the career.
"I hadn't lost a round in my professional career so far in the first 10 fights, so it's good to get in there with someone and be tested. I'd never been knocked down even in sparring, but thankfully I caught my bearings. I'm looking forward to watching it back!"
Bout 3
Middleweight, 6 Rounds
FEARGHUS QUINN vs. ROBBIE CHAPMAN
Fearghus Quinn PTS WIN 60-54 – Robbie Chapman
Debutant Fearghus Quinn made an instant impact on his professional debut, as he dominated the action on his way to an extremely impressive points victory over former Southern Area title challenger Robbie Chapman.
Quinn was jumping in at the deep end by facing a tough opponent on his debut, but it didn't faze him, as he dictated proceedings from the off, landing a number of very big shots that rocked Chapman.
Despite the onslaught, Chapman was able to make it to the final bell, with the referee giving every round to Quinn, handing him a 60-54 verdict to make it a brilliant start to life in the paid ranks.
Quinn said: "I've been training hard over lockdown and this chance came up on short notice, so I was glad to get off the mark, even if it was in unusual circumstances.
"MTK Global got me out so I was very thankful. Robbie was a tough guy, I thought I hurt him in the first round but he recovered well. Now I want to move on to bigger things. I fought someone with a winning record on my debut and it shows I mean business."
Bout 4
Super-bantamweight, 10 Rounds
LEE MCGREGOR vs. RYAN WALKER
Lee McGregor TKO5 WIN – Ryan Walker
British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor showed yet again why he is known as 'Lightning,' as he earned a huge fifth round stoppage win against Ryan Walker.
The fight was contested at super-bantamweight, and McGregor's power showed in the weight above, landing a number of hurtful punches, with the biggest of them coming just four seconds into round five.
A big right hook from the Edinburgh man sent Walker to the canvas, and while he was able to get back to his feet, the referee had seen enough and waved the fight off to hand McGregor an impressive TKO win.
McGregor said: "I was fully confident I would put in a big performance. Everything went well in the gym and I knew that was the performance people would see.
"There was no quit in him but he was taking some big shots, and I felt it would just get worse, so I think it was the right call to end it. I'd like to get a defence in before the end of the year, so I'll speak to my team and see what happens, and then 2021 is going to be exciting too."
Bout 5
British & Commonwealth welterweight title eliminator, 10 Rounds
DARREN TETLEY vs. LIAM TAYLOR
Darren Tetley LOSS UD 93-96, 93-96, 93-95 – Liam Taylor
Those watching the event on TV throughout the world were treated to one of the best fights since boxing resumed this summer, as Liam Taylor overcame Darren Tetley in an amazing contest.
Both men gave their all throughout the 10 rounds, with Taylor gaining the momentum after dropping Tetley in round two and three. Tetley did well to recover and ensure it remained a fascinating fight throughout, but in the end it was Taylor who got the nod.
The judges scored it 96-93, 96-93 and 95-93, handing him the victory in a fight that was also serving as an eliminator for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
Taylor said: "I'm happy to get the win against an undefeated fighter. I believe I'm the best in Britain, and now we'll move forward and get bigger fights.
"I'm glad that Tetley asked questions of me, but I proved that I have got a good chin. I knew going into camp that I wanted to change a few things up. I got re-focused and I had the best camp going ahead of this fight."
Bout 6: Main Event
WBO European welterweight title, 10 Rounds
LEWIS CROCKER vs. LOUIS GREENE
Underdog Greene starts on the front foot from the away corner, lands a sigature overhand right, but Crocker responds with one of his own. Greene aggressive from the start, but Crocker lands a flash left hook flush as he comes in and is planted back on the seat of his pants. Greene down in the first round after some good early work, right on the bell in the opener, and the fight is living up to expectations already.
Crocker landing his trademark heavy shots consistently but Greene catches the home fighter with a lovely left hook to the head when in close, 30 seconds from the end of the second stanza. Earlier, he caught the Irishman with a perfect right hook to the head.
Loius Greene begins the third with another sharp right. Crocker still sneaking in body shots though. Just as expected, the pair are standing in close quarters, trading shots. Greene looks like a man possessed, keeping plenty of pressure on his man, but can he keep this up for the duration? Looking good for 'The Medway Mauler' so far despite the scary start – far busier than the favourite.
Greene down again from a short left hook to the body, then again with a shot to the temple in the seventh and the fight is rightly waved off by the referee. It was the right hand over the top that was the cherry on the cake in the end. Greene's left eye was badly swollen by the end of the contest, testament to 'The Croc's' power punches in there.
It means that Crocker extends his unbeaten record, and sends out a big warning to the rest of the welterweight division.
Crocker said:"This is my first title as a professional so this means everything to me. I felt in great shape in there and I worked extra hard. It all paid off and I know I'll be a great welterweight for years to come.
"Fair play to Louis Greene, he was as tough as them come and he gave me the toughest fight of my career, and I feel it was a great fight for the fans at home. I'm really looking forward to seeing what MTK Global have in store for me in the future."
#MTKFightNight continues next Wednesday, as a massive event sees Akeem Ennis Brown and Philip Bowes clash for the British and Commonwealth super-lightweight titles, while Dan Azeez defends his English light-heavyweight crown against Andre Sterling.
Also on that card, undefeated Padraig McCrory faces Mickey Ellison, bitter amateur rivals Harlem Eubank and Martin McDonagh square off, a battle of unbeaten fighters sees Elliot Whale take on Corey McCulloch, plus rising star Mark McKeown returns.
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News