Belfast’s stiff-hitting Lewis Crocker showed plenty of snap, dropping a game Louis Greene three times en route to a seventh-round victory in a MTK Fight Night at the Production Park Studios, South Kirkby, on Wednesday night
Welterweight hope Crocker (12-0, 7 KOs) floored Greene (12-2, 7 KOs) with a left hook in the closing moments of the opener. But the Kent fighter battled back well and pressed relentlessly in a back-and-forth affair. Yet Crocker’s heavier hands eventually won out.
In the seventh, the Belfast man scored two more knockdowns via body and head with Greene’s left eye heavily swollen. ‘The Medway Mauler’ rose from the second knockdown in dire straits where referee Michael Alexander rightly intervened.
“This is my first title as a professional [WBO European belt] so this means everything to me,” said Crocker. “I felt in great shape in there and I worked extra hard. It all paid off and I know I’ll be a great welterweight for years to come.
“Fair play to Louis Greene, he was as tough as them come and he gave me the toughest fight of my career, and I feel it was a great fight for the fans at home. I’m really looking forward to seeing what MTK Global have in store for me in the future.”
Edinburgh’s British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor made a temporary move up to 122lbs and impressed with a five-round win over Ryan Walker.
The high-octane McGregor (9-0, 7 KOs) worked the body well before decking Walker with a heavy right hand in the fifth. Newham’s Walker (11-2, 2 KOs) laboured to get to his feet before the fight was waved off by referee Phil Edwards.
“I was fully confident I would put in a big performance. Everything went well in the gym and I knew that was the performance people would see,” said McGregor.
“There was no quit in him but he was taking some big shots, and I felt it would just get worse, so I think it was the right call to end it. I’d like to get a defence in before the end of the year, so I’ll speak to my team and see what happens, and then 2021 is going to be exciting, too.”
Two knockdowns were decisive as Middleton’s Liam Taylor (22-1-1, 10 KOs) dropped Bradford’s previously unbeaten Darren Tetley in the second and third to seal a close decision in a spirited British and Commonwealth 147lbs title eliminator.
Scores were 96-93 (twice) and 95-93. Yet Tetley (20-1, 9 KOs) rallied well to push the fight right down to the wire.
“I’m happy to get the win against an undefeated fighter. I believe I’m the best in Britain, and now we’ll move forward and get bigger fights,” said Taylor.
“I’m glad that Tetley asked questions of me, but I proved that I have got a good chin. I knew going into camp that I wanted to change a few things up. I got refocused and I had the best camp going ahead of this fight.”
Ireland’s touted Gary Cully (11-0, 6 KOs) had a closer than expected shave against Newport’s Craig Woodruff (10-6, 4 KOs) after being decked in the fifth from a right hand, but rose to collect a close win on points at 140lbs. Referee Edwards’ card was 77-75.
“Fair play to Craig. He woke me up in the fifth round. I thought I won the first four rounds and probably switched off a bit. It’s all experience for later on in the career,” said Cully.
“I hadn’t lost a round in my professional career so far in the first 10 fights, so it’s good to get in there with someone and be tested. I’d never been knocked down even in sparring, but thankfully I caught my bearings. I’m looking forward to watching it back!”
In other action, Belfast lightweight James McGivern (1-0, 0 KO) debuted with a six-round decision over Stockport battler Jamie Quinn (7-103, 0 KOs). Referee Edwards scored 60-54 for the former amateur star for whom big things are expected.
“It felt brilliant to be back in the ring finally. The difference between being an amateur and training, and training as a professional is huge, this has been a lot harder,” said McGivern.
“We knew the opponent was tough, and people will look at the record and thing he must be terrible, but he’s as tough as [it] comes. He took every shot I threw. I loved every bit of it in there, and I can’t wait until I can get back to Belfast to fight because I’d pack the Ulster Hall out.”
Another Irish debutant, Fearghus Quinn (1-0, 0 KO), got off to a winning start by outscoring Camden’s Robbie Chapman (6-4, 0 KO) at middleweight. Referee Edwards scored 60-54.
“I’ve been training hard over lockdown and this chance came up on short notice, so I was glad to get off the mark, even if it was in unusual circumstances,” said Quinn.
“MTK Global got me out so I was very thankful. Robbie was a tough guy, I thought I hurt him in the first round but he recovered well. Now I want to move on to bigger things. I fought someone with a winning record on my debut and it shows I mean business.”
Main image and all photos: MTK Global.