FRANK Warren’s debut show on DAZN delivered several twists and turns, not least putting the state of British refereeing into question.
When the timing of Saturday’s main event at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England, is at the bottom of fans’ list of complaints, it is clear that something particularly egregious must have transpired.
That said, the Queensberry Promotions card – which was restructured following injuries to Dillian Whyte and Lawrence Okolie – nonetheless provided several more positive talking points, too.
Early days for Delicious Orie
The pressure to perform under the bright lights should never be underestimated, especially not when a highly-touted prospect makes their professional debut.
Paris Olympian Delicious Orie, of course, is no stranger to the grandest of occasions that amateur boxing has to offer.
Yet still, while every debutante dreams of producing a statement performance, pro boxing is, quite often, an impossibly hard nut to crack.
But despite the fact that he was unable to halt a durable Milos Veletic, Orie, 1-0, displayed the early signs of a dynamic heavyweight that, while operating under the tutelage of an esteemed coach, can only add more strings to his bow.
Officials must accept responsibility
Referees Ron Kearney and Darren Sarginson shone a light on themselves, for all the wrong reasons, in what was a collectively poor display of officiating.
Both, in a sense, dropped the same clanger during their respective bouts, but were somehow given the opportunity to resume their work as the night went on.
In short, Sarginson was tugging on Cory O’Regan’s glove moments before Jack Rafferty landed a chopping right hook to floor his defenceless opponent. After that, a similar situation unfolded when Kearney – who even called break – allowed David Adeleye to score a knockdown over Jeamie TKV.
Not only were those mistakes highly dangerous for the fighters involved but they also shifted the momentum, and perhaps even the outcome, of each contest.
Kearney and Sarginson, however, went on to judge the fights that followed shortly after their refereeing performances, further highlighting the British Boxing Board of Control’s reluctance to punish its officials.
Rather astonishingly, Kearney even attempted to deny the fact that he called break once TVK’s team voiced its frustration.
Cory O’Regan is a hidden gem
Despite being forced to contend with a visible size disadvantage, O’Regan, 14-1 (3 KOs), showcased all the signs of a slippery and technically polished southpaw in the first two-rounds of his super-lightweight debut.
And then, after getting dropped by a shot he had no window to brace himself for, the 29-year-old displayed tremendous fortitude to keep throwing bombs.
While, regardless of the controversy, British and Commonwealth champion Rafferty, 26-0 (17 KOs), may be a level above, O’Regan should nonetheless be given another opportunity to shine at his more natural weight of 135lbs.
Joe Joyce must consider his future
Before long, it had become clear that Joe Joyce, a once hard-hitting but often defensively cumbersome heavyweight, is no longer the same fighter that stopped Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.
While many will argue that his performance against Filip Hrgovic was commendable, there is no denying that the punishment he has absorbed, both as an amateur and pro, has become a point of concern.
And so, with the 39-year-old insisting in his post-fight interview that he wishes to continue fighting, the onus is now on those closest to him to have that difficult discussion about the future of his career.
Filip Hrgovic remains below world level
While his unanimous decision victory over Joyce, 16-4 (15 KOs), was comprehensive, there are still several questions surrounding Hrgovic’s credentials at world level.
It is important to highlight that the Croatian, after linking up with trainer Abel Sanchez, only had five weeks to prepare for his assignment.
But even so, if he was, in fact, already in shape – like he claimed to be – then it is difficult to understand why his gas tank began to falter during the middle rounds.
Not only that but, for an Olympic bronze medallist, his performance was far from the most technical.
If anything, Hrgovic, 18-1 (14 KOs), looked reckless while attempting to halt his opponent in the early rounds, giving fans little reason to bang the drum for a possible title shot.
