GAV THAT: McDonnell wins first title
MONEY SHOT: The right uppercut would prove a potent weapon for Gavin McDonnell, helping him to down Scott Gladwin. Picture: Trevor Price.
IF it was unfair before to suggest Gavin McDonnell is overshadowed by twin Jamie, it certainly is now.
McDonnell was on brilliant form as he coasted to his first professional title at the Dome.
It was a performance packed with class, control and composure as the Hatfield fighter demolished the unbeaten Scott Gladwin inside six rounds to win the Central Area super bantamweight title.
The manner of the victory cemented the fact McDonnell should be talked about in his own right.
His class saw him steal the show the last time out at the Dome and he repeated the feat again.
His accuracy was excellent and his footwork superb to the extent that Gladwin could simply not escape.
Once McDonnell found the shot that put Gladwin down – a right uppercut in the early stages of the sixth – it was game over for the Halifax fighter.
It was a somewhat slow start to the fight for McDonnell as he looked to find his range against a much shorter opponent.
First, there was the matter of dealing with a split glove before the bout had even begun for McDonnell.
Then there was dealing with a fighter in Gladwin who looked to fight on the inside and enjoyed some success over the first round and a half in doing so.
But once McDonnell found his stride in the latter part of the second, there was no looking back.
McDonnell did take some clean shots but was largely unfazed and there was never an opportunity for Gladwin to follow up.
The reach advantage kept Gladwin at bay and smart shot selection had him tied in knots.
But the most impressive aspect of the performance was McDonnell’s movement, going in and out of range superbly.
When Gladwin chose to move in, he was often met by the uppercut that would prove his ultimate undoing later in the bout.
The key shot came at the start of the sixth.
As Gladwin moved in he walked straight onto the uppercut and slumped to the mat.
He made referee Michael Alexander’s count but rose to his feet with his nose bloodied.
Sensing the end was near, McDonnell jumped on him and produced a flurry of shots Gladwin simply had no answer for.
Alexander mercifully stepped in to stop the contest and seal victory for McDonnell.
Undoubtedly the rarely defended English title will be in McDonnell’s mind.
His rapid development in less than two years suggests he can make an impact in the upper reaches of the domestic division.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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