As promised, challenger Dan Lawrence has brought the QBL Light Middleweight title home to Bexleyheath after an impressive win over previously undefeated champion Marlon Stuart.
Saturday night saw the Queensbury Boxing League return to the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey for it's fourth exciting promotion of 2011 and the capacity crowd were treated to one of the most electric evening of boxing ever witnessed inside a Queensbury ring with the thirteen bout card being filmed by Sky's Premier Sports channel 433.
In the main event the clash that had everyone talking took place when defending champion Marlon Stuart took on mandatory challenger Dan Lawrence for the coveted Queensbury British Light Middleweight belt.
Making the first defence of his crown after winning the belt back in April, Stuart looked in peak condition as he came in just under the championship limit of 11 stone.
Also weighing in just under the limit, challenger Dan Lawrence looked confident as the pair faced off in the pre fight stare down and with opinion divided on the outcome of the impending battle, the atmosphere in the arena was thrilling as both challenger and champion made their ring entrances.
From the opening bell it was Lawrence who pressed the action as he put the champion on the back foot walking him down as he peppered his opponent with shots. Stuart renowned for his devastating power fired back on several occasions catching the challenger with shots that would have put most people down and looked to have Lawrence in trouble after connecting with one heavy shot, but despite his power Stuart was unable to deter the march of the Bexleyheath boxer.
During the opener after one of several heated exchanges Stuart appeared to pull away from the action in some pain as he gestured to his shoulders as if it had been hurt during the action, but referee Seamus Dunne waived the action on and both fighters continued. Over the course of the proceeding rounds the action followed a similar pattern but it was clear to observers at ringside that Lawrence was in command and piling up the points on the judges scorecards. Controlling the centre of the ring and fighting on the front foot constantly, it was the gutsy challenger that was the aggressor throughout.
As the bout entered the final round both men looked to be tiring but again it was Lawrence who was pushing the action and as the final bell rang out the crowd showed their appreciation for both fighters. As the unanimous verdict was delivered, newly crowed champion Dan Lawrence saluted his supporters and capped off a truly memorable evening of boxing.
Lawrence showed appreciation by saying “I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my travelling fans and the Matt Marsh Promotions team.”
The first champion for Matt Marsh Promotions since setting up in June this year, Promoter Tim Rickson added, “Dan is our first champion and he won in style. We are hoping that this will inspire other boxers to come forward and join our expanding stable”
To view the round by round action visit http://www.youtube.com/user/mattmarshpromotions
For more information on Matt Marsh Promotions visit www.matt-marsh.com or call the hotline 07951 456 457.
