WELSH lightweight champion Gavin Gwynne had to overcome his own frustration as much as Nicaraguan Arnoldo Solano 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 “Double G” 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 Carmarthen’s Angelo Dragone, who whitewashed Guildford-based Greek first-timer Ilias Liokaftos 60-54 on Martin Williams’ card.
Another debutant booked for six-threes, Thamesmead’s dreadlocked Daniel Alder, did not make it to halfway, Bridgend puncher 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 night’s best performance came in the fourth six-threes, Risca’s sharp-punching Jake Tinklin taking every round for Mr Williams against the tattooed Fonz Alexander, from Newark.
Two four-threes saw 39-37 wins for Ammanford’s Jake Anthony over late sub Nathan Junor, from Derby, (Mr Williams) and Cardiff newcomer Lloyd Germain against ringwise Yorkshireman Danny Little(Mr Carter).
The Verdict Gwynne will need to show greater self-control in his forthcoming final eliminator.
FULL RESULTS
Gavin Gwynne (142lbs), 11-0 (1), w pts 8 Arnoldo Solano (148lbs), 14-20; Kristian Touze (133lbs), 8-0-2, w pts 6 Edwin Tellez (131 1/2lbs), 12-51-5 (6); Jake Tinklin (147 1/2lbs), 3-0, w pts Fonz Alexander (148 1/2lbs), 6-98 (4); Angelo Dragone(141lbs), 5-0, w pts 6 Ilias Liokaftos (141 1/2lbs), 0-1; Robbie Vernon (141lbs), 3-0 (2), w rsf 3 Daniel Alder (140 1/4lbs), 0-1; Jake Anthony(176lbs), 6-0, w pts 4 Nathan Junor (183lbs), 0-2;Lloyd Germain (155 1/4lbs), 1-0, w pts Danny Little (155 1/4lbs), 8-58-2 (1).
