THERE are better nights and title fights on the horizon for Solomon Dacres, who gave his career a massive boost at Wembley Stadium, outboxing Vladyslav Sirenko over 10 rounds.
The judges correctly awarded Dacres a resounding win by scores of 98-92 (Lee Every), 99-92 (Victor Loughlin) and 99-91 (Marcus McDonnell). The rounds were repetitive as Dacres dominated the ring real estate all night.
Dacres responded from his first career defeat -a damaging one-round demolition at the fists of David Adeleye- in fine fashion, dominating the ring with his boxing skills.
Ducking tentatively to the side, Dacres was clearly wary of Sirenko’s big overhand right. As well he might be. Sirenko’s punching power was displayed by the record. Not that Dacres was deterred early on, landing fast-handed shots from distance, while managing the Kiev man on the inside.
The Warley warrior was blowing a little in the fourth, yet managing to maintain his shape. Sirenko’s nose seeped blood in the fifth. Dacres’ body work was an underappreciated part of his attack, whipping in hooks to the wobbling midriff of Sirenko, who was running out of time as the seventh rolled into view.
Not only was Dacres winning, he was looking comfortable doing so. Sirenko was unable to close the gap and land anything big, given his plodding nature.
Solomon’s uppercut came out to play in round nine, snapping the Sirenko head upwards as he counted down the seconds to victory. Apart from a few elbow warnings to Dacres, referee Bob Williams was a bystander.
A former WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight champion, it’s back to the drawing board for disappointing Sirenko, who falls to 22-1 (19 KOs), while victorious Dacres improves to 10-1 (3 KOs).
