Scottish boxing monthly review, May 2022
Hannah Rankin’s tenacity and achievements are universally respected in the sport. But, as someone who started boxing late and with no amateur experience, some questioned her overall boxing ability at the highest level. Many of those questions were answered, emphatically, with Rankin’s successful defence of her WBA and IBO world titles against Alejandra Alaya on 13 May. The first half of the bout was competitive with Rankin edging the rounds against the tough Mexican. It wasn’t an engrossing affair for the spectator, though, and a feeling emerged that a close and uneventful win would do little to silence sceptics and send a message to the other major players in the division. Right on cue, Rankin, implementing instruction from her trusted coach, Noel Callan, went up the gears, varying her work, and landing decisive spiteful shots. As the rounds progressed, Rankin had total authority, offloading at will and secured a devastating technical knockout win in the tenth round. It was not only the victory that Rankin needed, but the performance to solidify her presence amongst the best in the world, and a deserved unification bout - perhaps against Sky Sport’s Natasha Jonas - is within grasp. It was a special venue, too, as Rankin was the first woman to headline the Hydro, Scotland’s largest arena, a fitting stage for her achievements. Our thoughts are with Alaya who remains in hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries.
On the undercard, Nathaniel Collins versus Jacob Robinson was billed as a fifty-fifty clash between two evenly matched prospects for the Commonwealth featherweight title. But, in reality, Collins put on a masterclass, demonstrating his superior boxing ability and IQ, to claim a wide unanimous victory. Robinson’s corner were vocal and their audible frustrations grew louder with each passing minute as their man appeared to freeze, unable to follow instruction. Yet, it wasn’t for a lack of effort or bravery, he was simply disarmed by a vastly more skilled boxer. Collins looks to possess world class potential, brushing past the Welshman to defend his belt, and will now compete for the British title in the summer.
Glasgow’s popular up and coming super lightweight, Regan Glackin, had an invaluable contest against Robin Zamora (16-12). Glackin had completed a training camp focused on a domestic rival for a Scottish title fight. But, as that fell through, and other opponents were called and dropped, he faced a complete unknown from Nicaragua on the night. To call Zamora unorthodox would be an understatement; tricky would also fall short as a true descriptor. Zamora was wild, aggressive, relentless; what he lacked in boxing fundamentals, he made up with a seemingly impenetrable will to come forward and swing looping, heavy shots. And he had some success, rocking Glackin several times, as he marched forward like a bar brawler with a personal vendetta. The Glaswegian was a deserved winner, however; securing victory with a strong jab, good variety, and cleaner work. And while the contest might not have been the most enjoyable at the time for Glackin, it will pay dividends in the fighter’s development. Boxers with vast international amateur experience are used to facing unknown, dangerous opponents; pitting themselves against a whole host of styles throughout their career in the unpaid ranks, giving them the tools to adapt when necessary. Glackin, a former youth football player, doesn’t have that deep amateur experience, and was forced to think and make adjustments on the night. Untested prospects have questions over their skill and heart until they face difficult challenges, and Glackin proved he has those in abundance, as he had his hand raised by referee Kenny Pringle after six tough rounds.
Joe Ham appeared in a boxing ring for only the third time in three years as he cruised to a 40-35 points victory over Rocky Starkey. It was an ideal bout for Ham, the popular Glaswegian super bantamweight, as he shook off some ring rust, demonstrated his class, and dropped his English opponent with a well placed body shot as he edges back towards title contention. Joe Ham senior deserves recognition as one of the UK’s top coaches as his three charges - Ham, Glackin, and Collins - all had important victories on the night,
Corey McCulloch bounced back from his recent defeat to Dean Sutherland with a second round stoppage of Jake Osgood. McCulloch landed a peach of a right hand to buzz the Englishman and followed up with a combination of body shots to bring the contest to an end. A good statement as he chases a Scottish title shot. Jordan Grant improved to 5-2 as he beat Michal Gazdik, Darren Johnstone cruised to his third win over the experienced journeyman Lewis van Poetsch, and Arran McGarvie had some valuable ring time as he beat Kieran McAfee over four rounds.
On the same night, a few miles away in the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew, another type of history was being made. Scottish boxing legend, Willie Limond, and his eldest son, Jake, became the first father and son to fight on the same show in Scotland. Willie, now 43, hadn’t fought in three years but proved the last attributes to leave a fighter are timing and power. He unleashed a beautifully timed shot to buzz and stop journeyman CJ Wood in the third round. It may well have been his last punch in a professional boxing ring, and it was a sweet one. Limond has now fought in four consecutive decades - 90s, 00s, 10s, and 20s - and can walk away from the sport proud of his achievements.
And that pride continued in seeing his son, Jake Limond, continue his impressive start to his career as he dominated Michael Mooney over four rounds. Jake is 18 years old and now 2-0 as a professional. The exciting welterweight, Martin Harkin (now 15-2), was involved in an action-packed clash with Edvinas Puplauskas. The two had met back in 2017 in a more routine affair, but this time the Lithuanian appeared far more ambitious and aggressive. Harkin delivered trademark heavy shots in the second and fifth round to drop Puplauskas, which ultimately secured the victory as referee Kevin McIntyre scored the contest 56-54 in Harkin’s favour after six rounds. Josh Campbell (3-0) dropped Naeem Ali on his way to a 40-35 points win, and Jack Turner (5-0) continued his winning streak with comfortable victory over Stanislav Bilohurov. There was disappointment for Kaiden McGuire in only his second contest, losing to the experienced journeyman Brit Fidoe, a veteran of 90 fights, over four rounds.
It was encouraging to see professional boxing continuing to develop in the Highlands, spearheaded by two prospects, Ben Bartlett and Fraser Wilkinson. On 28 May in Inverness, Barlett forced the retirement of Glasgow’s Gary McGuire at the end of the second round, and Fraser Wilkinson, building on a knockout win only weeks before, dominated Josh Cook 60-54. Both are exciting young fighters and ticket sellers in the region. Liall MacKenzie beat former Scottish champion, Marek Laskowski, over four rounds, and Paul Deas had a successful debut against Jamie Quinn, winning 40-36.
Mark McKeown joined Hannah Rankin and Nathaniel Collins in the argument for performance of the month. The Coatbridge man travelled down to Wales on 28 May to take on fellow undefeated featherweight prospect Joshua John for the vacant Celtic title. In front of the BBC cameras and away from home, McKeown commanded the centre of the ring from the opening bell, nullifying John with an effective jab and excellent body work, consistently the busier man landing the more telling shots. After ten rounds, the judges had the contest closer than it was, but nonetheless McKeown had his hand raised and proudly took the Celtic title back home to Scotland, also winning the respect of the viewing public.
Lanarkshire’s welterweight prospect, Elliot O’Donnell, improved to 3-0 with a 40-36 win over small hall stalwart Dale Arrowsmith on 6 May in Glasgow. The show was headlined by an evenly matched bout between Marios Matamba and Kane Gardner. Matamba, signed to Kynoch Boxing, was making his first UK appearance against the underrated Gardner. The bout could have went either way, but the scoring referee preferred Gardner’s aggression and come forward style to Matamba’s slicker work. An entertaining bout in front of the Fightzone cameras, Matamba can come again.
