Review - Wraith Promotions: Collision Course

Friday 18th March saw both of your British Boxing Blog correspondents make the short journey across Gateshead (from Felling to Dunston to be precise) to attend Steve Wraith’s first professional boxing promotion of 2016, a four fight bill showcasing some of the region’s top prospects.

There was a positive, friendly atmosphere in the air all evening as local boxing fans descended on the Lancastrian Suite for a night of entertainment and professional boxing. Those in attendance were entertained with a live singing performance from vocalist Arya Sage and a Bobby Thompson comedic tribute from local funny man Tony Washington.

A raffle of boxing memorabilia also took place to raise funds for charity, namely the Graham Wylie Foundation.

After the entertainment was finished, then it was all eyes on the ring as the boxing got underway.

First up was local prospect, Durham’s Billy Snaith, taking part in his second professional fight, a four round contest against Andrej Cepur. Backed by a loud vocal support, Snaith came out confidently, dominating the opening round with good use of his jab and even better body work.

If Snaith finished the first round strongly, then he started the second round in much the same fashion, again utilising his jab to good effect and working Cepur to the body. His shot selection was impressive throughout as the uppercut found its way in to Snaith’s repertoire as we moved through the second round.

The opening two rounds clearly took a lot out of the game but ultimately limited Tepur as he visibly began to slow down as we moved through the third round, Snaith relentlessly pressurising his man and out working him at every opportunity. Billy Snaith completed a comfortable nights work with an impressive final round, keeping up his fast pace and picking his shots nicely, throwing some lovely combinations in the process. Overall it was an impressive night’s work for Billy Snaith who took the decision 40-36 on the referee’s scorecard, moving his record in the paid ranks to 2-0.

Next in to the ring was Paul Gidney, again looking to build on his successful pro debut in a four round contest against Phil Hervey. Gidney made a lively start to the fight, catching Hervey by surprise by boxing at such a fast pace. Gidney began to land his shots almost immediately, with his superior work rate and movement troubling Hervey from the outset. The first round was very impressive, and having taken his instructions from trainer Mal Gates during the break, Gidney came out firing again, out working and out punching Hervey. The second saw Hervey throw more punches and get to grips with the fight more than in the first but Gidney was undoubtedly in control, a more classy operator with a superior work rate than his opponent.

Gidney’s dominance continued throughout the third and fourth rounds of the fight as he began to throw his jab more to keep Hervey at distance and work his way inside well, creating angles and using his fast footwork. Again, much like Snaith, it was another impressive win on his second performance from the Mal Gates trained boxer as he won it 40-36 on the referee’s scorecard, and we look forward to seeing more of Paul Gidney in future.

Hartlepool’s Daniel Cope was next to the ring, boxing in a four round contest against Arvydas Trizno in a 4 round contest, after his Northern Area title contest against Tom Whitfield was cruelly postponed due to Whitfield suffering a broken jaw in the lead up to the fight.

Cope, who was backed loud and proud once again by his legion of fans, Hartlepool’s boisterous “Barmy Army”, made a quiet start to the fight, settling his way in to proceedings by flicking out his jab.

However it was the dangerous Trizno that looked to land early, throwing a couple of overhand rights early in the fight that to his credit, Cope took well. It was an even start to the first round and a good beginning to the four round contest.

Cope was more composed in the second; having shaken off the early nerves and settled down to his boxing, using his long arms and jab to good effect. However Trizno was not to be deterred, once again looking to land a big right hand in the exchanges.

The third round followed a similar pattern, Cope was definitely the superior boxing but Trizno was game and definitely came to win, a refreshing attitude to see from a “journeyman” fighter.

Cope’s superior ability and fitness shone through in the end however and the four round contest will definitely do him good in the long run, as he has shaken off the ring rust since his absence and can take the positives into a fight for the Northern Area title against Whitfield, which will hopefully be made later in the year once Tom has fully recovered from his unfortunate injury.

Daniel Cope deservedly won the contest 39-37 on the referee’s scorecard, sending himself and the Barmy Army home happy.

The main event and the final fight of the evening saw one of the region’s and the country’s top boxing prospect, the sensational Jeff Saunders take to the ring in a four round contest against Zoltan Turai.

It may have been scheduled for four rounds, but those in attendance had a sneaky feeling that there was very little chance it was going to last that long, the impressive Saunders having stopped four of his previous five opponents in the first round.

Turai was to be the first boxer to take young Jeff past the opening round on British soil – however not much further.

Saunders, watched from ringside by older brother Bradley, started like a train, unsettling Turai from the outset with a frenetic pace and staggering shot selection.

Saunders mixed his shots, landing thunderous blows to the head and body and back again, as well as throwing uppercuts in for good measure. The shell shocked Turai didn’t know what had hit him, crashing to the canvas three times in the opening round, showing immense bravery to somehow make it to his feet each time and miraculously hearing the bell at the end of the first round.

Turai stumbled out of the corner at the start of the second round and immediately walked in to a barrage of shots from the quick firing Saunders.

To his credit, Turai didn’t touch the canvas again and looked to have somewhat weathered the storm, despite being the end of a one man pummelling from Saunders, however he was clearly in a world of trouble and the referee jumped in after 2 mins 51 seconds in the second round and waved off the contest, to save the game Turai from any further punishment.

Saunders will undoubtedly face tougher tests in future, but for now the North East should be proud to call Jeff Saunders one of our own and enjoy him in venues such as the Lancastrian Suite whilst we can, as if he continues in this fashion, we can only but echo the words of promoter Steve Wraith and say without doubt that Jeff Saunders is destined for the very top.

A special talent indeed.