Photos: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW BOYERS
★★★★ MAIN EVENT
★★★★ UNDERCARD
★★★★ ATMOSPHERE16 lBOXING NEWSlJUNE 27, 2019 http://www.boxingnewsonline.netIT’S A TIE:
Conway and
Cheeseman
fight to a drawCHEESEMAN CLINGS ON TO TITLE
BETHNAL GREEN
JUNE 21ED CHEESEMAN
hung on to his British
super-welterweight
crown with a
split draw against
Northampton’s
Kieron Conway at
York Hall.
After 12 absorbing rounds, pitting
the champion’s aggression against the
challenger’s elusive boxing, judge Marcus
McDonnell scored for Conway by 116-113,
Terry O’Connor had Cheeseman ahead
by 115-114, and Robert Wiliams had it
114-114.
With the judges split like that, anyonecan be right – and anyone can be wrong.
I thought Conway might have edged it,
but I wouldn’t argue with the draw – and
all credit to Cheeseman, who rallied like a
champion from the 10th when it seemed
to be slipping away.
The pattern was set from the first- Cheeseman (Bermondsey) pressing,
Conway moving and countering, catching
the champion as he came in. And when
Cheeseman did get close, Conway was
happy to stand and trade.
After nine rounds I thought Conway
was heading for a shock win – but the
champion came out strongly for the 10th,
and now there were signs Conway might
be fading. Twice the challenger was forced
back against the ropes, and held on – and
Cheeseman kept up the pressure in the
11th, definitely landing more.
But Conway had saved something for
the last, and they put up a strong finish - Cheeseman coming forward, Conway
moving and countering. Conway finished
with a graze below the left eye – and at the
bell Cheeseman raised his arms in triumph,
Conway didn’t. Both can be proud of their
showing, and there must be a return.
Ian John-Lewis refereed.
Craig Richards won the right to
challenge British light-heavyweight
champion Joshua Buatsi, taking a
unanimous decision over South London
rival Andre Sterling in their 12-round
final eliminator. Scores were 117-
( John-Lewis), 116-111 (Williams) and 115-
112 (O’Connor). McDonnell refereed.
The shorter Sterling – 10-0 going in- did well for five rounds, coming close,
scoring, and moving out of danger. But
a right to the head dropped Sterling by
the ropes in the sixth, and he was under
pressure for the rest of the session – which
ended with Sterling taking stick on the
ropes.
Sterling (New Cross), now sporting
damage beneath both eyes, made a big
effort in the seventh – but really the tide
had turned, and Richards (Crystal Palace)
used his height and reach advantages well
T
Slick
challenger
holds champ
to a draw
ACTION
Simon
Euan-Smith
RINGSIDE