Anything Ricky Can Do...

Amateur boxing bouts at Audience With Ricky Hatton, Eastbourne Winter Gardens, 17/02/07



Body-blowing Buchannon puts on a show for his hero Hatton


Hastings Westhill’s Barry Buchannon stole the show in Eastbourne at the top of an entertaining bill. With Ricky Hatton as well as undefeated IBF World Light Welterweight Champion Terry Marsh in attendance, the local fighters were determined to put on a show.

Buchannon fought Guildford City’s Stacey Ayers in an explosive 4 x 2 bout. The window cleaner stopped his opponent in the second round after a barrage of body-blows knocked Ayers down for an eight-count. Buchannon’s relentless all-action assault allowed no respite for Ayers, whose corner threw in the towel.

“That was the biggest buzz of my boxing career, fighting in front of Hatton;” said Buchannon. “I look up to him, especially for his body-blowing style.”

Earlier, Jimmy Davis defeated Moulescoomb ABC’s Jason Harman in a fiercely contested fight. Both boxers began in conservative fashion, but Davis looked dangerous when getting close to the burly Harman. A vicious right from Davis found Harman’s chin in the third, helping the Hailsham & Eastbourne ABC man earn a majority decision.

Fellow Hailsham & Eastbourne fighter Af Panjalizadeh couldn’t match Davis’ performance, getting stopped in the second by menacing Crawley ABC boxer Ross Payne. A combination of speed and fast hands ensured Payne was in control from the start. A blistering left-right combination to Panjalizadeh’s midriff forced the referee to end the contest.

This result was mirrored when Ben White beat Scott Mayer (South Norwood and Victory) to give Hastings Westhill their third win of the evening. The 16-year-old boxed intelligently, persevering with a contained approach before landing a haymaker which visibly shook Mayer. Stuck on the ropes, the referee had no choice but to stop the fight.

An engrossing junior bout was won by Chloe Winter. Her attacking attitude ensured a unanimous decision over Berinsfield’s Jade Clarke. Ben Watts (St. Gerrards) also claimed a victory, helping himself to a unanimous decision win over Bognor’s Jonathon Fry. Despite Fry’s dogged determination, Watts’ height and reach advantage were too much to overcome.

Greg Rose