THE VIEW'S BOXING REVIEW
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The undercard saw a whole host of knockouts.
Stephen Ormond coming off the back of a good win against the rugged Derry Matthews scored a very impressive fifth round stoppage over Karim El Ouazghari to take the WBO European Lightweight Title. This was a decent scalp for The Rock as Karim pushed Britain's John Murray and Kevin Mitchell in competitive bouts not too long ago. Ormond's work with a new health and nutrition coach has seen him bulk up significantly and if this is the result then he will be a real threat for any lightweight going forward.
The highlight knockout of the night though has to go to Eamonn O'Kane who threw a firecracker of an overhand right that completely pancaked Alvaro Gaona in the first round. O'Kane fully accepts that he hasn't been fully focused in previous bouts, but he now states that he has been more focused and putting more and more sparring rounds in the bank. In his post fight interview he mentioned working on his footwork in order to tee his power punches off. The power that was generated in the finishing punch shows that he is obviously making very good process in this department.
Marco McCullough & Conrad Cummings made short work of their opponents also, both fighters ending proceeding in the third round respectively.
Another “Mexican” on the bill, Jamie Conlan showed why he is one of the most exciting prospects in Irish boxing when he fought to perfection, overcoming a cut in the process to win every round and end his working shift in the seventh round. His opponent Benjamin Smoes went to the canvas in the sixth round and once the bell rang for the seventh, Conlan smelt blood and finished things off in style. Conlan also picked up his first piece of professional silverware in the form of the WBO European Super Flyweight Title.
So, that was Belfast and with plenty of knockouts for the winners to add to their future YouTube reels, it will be great to follow each and every one of their progression in the future.
Ryan Burnett was due to fight on the undercard but due to his doctors advice, he was taken off the bill. Our best wishes go to Ryan and his team.