An all Belfast bash served as the chief support on the Michael Conlan Vs Jordan Gill undercard at the SSE Arena in the Northern Irish capital.
Tyrone McKenna faced fellow Belfast native Lewis Crocker for a WBA regional welterweight title. It was the first time in 40 years that two men from the city have challenged for a title.
The first round saw Crocker land two hooks in the opening 30 seconds, launching another attack just seconds later. Crocker was oozing with confidence and aggression appearing to look for the knockout from the off. It was Crocker’s round throughout as he landed multiple big right hands in the opening three minutes.
In round two McKenna had ebbed the flow of Crocker’s attack slightly. Midway through the round the pair traded, with Crocker landing the far better work. A clean right hand to the head landed with McKenna on the ropes. Another right hand landed by Crocker with less than 30 seconds on the clock. He would slip slightly in the closing seconds, but the man’s confidence in Belfast tonight seemed indestructible.
Crocker was gaining from ear to ear to open round three. He landed a crowd pleasing right hand to the head after 40 seconds. A big uppercut found the body of McKenna against the ropes one minute later. Crocker would proceed to hit his opponent with damaging shots until the bell rang. He looked in full control to this point.
The pace of the fight slowed significantly in rounds four and five. Crocker would land much fewer power shots giving McKenna some rest bite and a chance to claw his way back into the all Belfast bout. McKenna pleased his fans with a spirited combination halfway through the fifth. Crocker would land big right hands at the one minute mark and again with 30 seconds to spare.
Rounds six and seven saw a lot of talking inside the ring. The showboating was in full flow as McKenna would mock Crocker’s power to the amusement of the local crowd. Crocker landed a hook that looked to have hurt McKenna. Crocker had reinstalled his foot to the floor landing continuous right hands.
By round eight McKenna was beaten and bruised but still full of spirit. At this stage of the fight he was being white washed. Crocker put together a spiteful four push combination that again saw McKenna mimic the good work of his opponent.
With 30 seconds to spare in round nine Crocker again screwed in the right hand to the head of McKenna. However, McKenna’s chin was unbelievably strong, Crocker himself admired it after he landed one of his many head punches.
Round ten saw a spirited performance from McKenna but had lost nearly every round on the scorecards and had zero answer for the impressive Crocker.
The Scorecards read: 100-90, 100-90 and 98-92 all in favour of Crocker. He continues undefeated, his record improving to 18-0 (10 KOs). McKenna’s record moves to 23-4-1 (6 KOs).
The fans sang ‘there is only one Lewis Crocker’ as they left the arena hall. It was McKenna’s name they sang pre fight.
