WELSH lightweight championย Gavin Gwynneย had to overcome his own frustration as much as Nicaraguan Arnoldo Solanoย in a bad-tempered eight-threes at Merthyr Leisure Centre.
Despite winning every round, the Treharris fighter was docked two points – in the fourth, for feigning to kick his prone opponent in the head, and in the last, for punching after the call of break.
Solano, whose frequent visits to the canvas included two ruled knockdowns – in the fourth and eighth – was also penalised in the final session for a low blow. It meant hard-pressed referee Reece Carter ended with a strange-looking 78-69 tally in favour of the local.
More than six inches shorter than six-footer Gwynne, Arnoldo naturally tried to bore his way inside, which, coupled with repeated holding, led to โDouble Gโ losing his cool.
There was a similar discrepancy in height between the other Nicaraguan visitor, Edwin Tellez, and Swansea southpaw Kristian Touze, who danced around his stumpy foe to win 59-55 for Mr Carter.
Promoter Chris Sanigar now plans a showdown for the vacant Welsh super-feather throne between Touze and Carmarthenโsย Angelo Dragone, who whitewashed Guildford-based Greek first-timer Ilias Liokaftosย 60-54 on Martin Williamsโ card.
Another debutant booked for six-threes, Thamesmeadโs dreadlockedย Daniel Alder, did not make it to halfway, Bridgend puncherย Robbie Vernon dropping him with a short right in the third. When a disoriented Alder turned into his own corner on rising, Mr Carter waved it off at 1-41.
The nightโs best performance came in the fourth six-threes, Riscaโs sharp-punchingย Jake Tinklin taking every round for Mr Williams against the tattooedย Fonz Alexander, from Newark.
Two four-threes saw 39-37 wins for Ammanfordโs Jake Anthonyย over late subย Nathan Junor, from Derby, (Mr Williams) and Cardiff newcomerย Lloyd Germainย against ringwise Yorkshiremanย Danny Little(Mr Carter).
The Verdictย Gwynne will need to show greater self-control in his forthcoming final eliminator.
FULL RESULTS
Gavin Gwynneย (142lbs), 11-0 (1), w pts 8ย Arnoldo Solanoย (148lbs), 14-20;ย Kristian Touzeย (133lbs), 8-0-2, w pts 6ย Edwin Tellezย (131 1/2lbs), 12-51-5 (6);ย Jake Tinklinย (147 1/2lbs), 3-0, w ptsย Fonz Alexanderย (148 1/2lbs), 6-98 (4);ย Angelo Dragone(141lbs), 5-0, w pts 6ย Ilias Liokaftosย (141 1/2lbs), 0-1;ย Robbie Vernonย (141lbs), 3-0 (2), w rsf 3ย Daniel Alderย (140 1/4lbs), 0-1;ย Jake Anthony(176lbs), 6-0, w pts 4ย Nathan Junorย (183lbs), 0-2;Lloyd Germainย (155 1/4lbs), 1-0, w ptsย Danny Littleย (155 1/4lbs), 8-58-2 (1).