Disaster struck for Blackpool’s Brian Rose tonight when Carson Jones, 37-10-3 (27KO’s) dramatically stopped him inside the first round.
Rose, 26-3-1 (8KO’s) was stepping in the ring for only the second time since his unsuccessful WBC World light middleweight title tilt against Demetrius Andrade, when he was stopped in 7. The first of which was an encouraging first round stoppage over Ignacio Lucero Fraga in Leeds in October.
The fight started in encouraging fashion with Rose establishing his sharp jab early and controlling the action. Before the fight, the 28-year-old had revealed for the first time in his career he had completed a full camp of weight training in order to improve his power.
The apparent confidence this brought was evident as the English began to fire as the first round drew on, bringing a reaction from his American opponent on more then one occasion.
Unfortunately for the house fighter and his followers the script was ripped up, tossed in the bin and promptly set on fire.
Rose walked into a huge right hand, which was timed brilliantly by Jones and sent shockwaves through the Winter Gardens arena and the legs of Brian Rose.
Jones smelt blood and went after Rose who was in dire need of the bell or an 8 count. Neither came as his senses were clearly scrambled sending him into survival mode, which saw him shipping further punishment that referee Ian John Lewis couldn’t allow him to endure.
The bout was officially stopped 2:27 into round 1, a decision which incensed Rose, his team and the fans who felt it was premature.
I feel on reflection Rose and his team will accept that in a difficult position Ian John Lewis had no option but to preserve the fighters health. Rose appeared defenseless and the next punch could have had catastrophic repercussions.
Hats off to Oklahoma man who came into the fight out of his preferred weight class and off the back of retirement. Very few people gave him much of a chance, but he proved that old adage to be true, ‘it only takes one punch’.
Where Brian Rose goes from here is anyone’s guess.
Cardle demolishes Bulgarian in one
Joe Gallagher trained lightweight Scotty Cardle 17-0 (5KO’s) has suffered a frustrating time these last couple of years.
Particularly when he seen his mandatory British title challenge against Terry Flanagan postponed in January to accommodate Flanagan’s bout with Stephen Ormond this evening.
Unfortunately for journeyman Yordan Vasilev, Cardle was in the mood to take that frustration out tonight. It took just 36 seconds for the Lytham man to unleash a humongous right hand, which was big enough to send most lightweights into immediate retirement.
The fight couldn’t possibly go on and Cardle collected his third knockout in his last 4 fights.
In an already buzzing domestic lightweight division it looks like we have another to add to the collection and their will not be a queue of people wanting to fight him.
Marcus Morrison collects his third win
The Gallagher gym tasted victory for the second time on the evening as budding light middleweight Marcus Morrison 3-0 (2KO’s) recorded a fourth round stoppage over Latvian Viktors Drizlionoks 1-1 (0KO’s).
Morrison looked strong throughout and although by his own admission has a lot of improving to do, he will be encouraged by his punch variety, particularly to the body and his raw physical strength.
Another one to watch emerges from Manchester.