Unbeaten middleweight Tom Doran 14-0 (4KO’s) collected the 34th Prizefighter trophy tonight and more importantly a £34,000 cash injection that at this stage of his career is massive.
The 27-year-old started superbly dropping Craig Cunningham with a powerful straight right hand in his first round of his quarter final, to progress to the semi finals.
Doran proceeded to dispose of pre-tournament favourite with a controlled performance behind a strong jab that saw him win out 29-28 on all judges’ scorecards to set up a meeting with previous Prizefighter finalist Cello Renda.
The man from Connah’s Quay, who has fought once since 2011 survived a first round scare to take over the bout through the second, having huge success with his counter left hook, which was catching a tired Renda as he fell in.
The end was nigh and Doran detonated a final counter left hook, which took everything from the valiant Renda and saw him lift the coveted trophy and cash prize.
“I’ve kept the unbeaten record, I’m £34,000 richer and had amazing support, it’s been a dream night,” said Doran. “I was out for a while but had three fights in an hour tonight!
I said previously that Prizefighter might be a format slipping down the pecking order at Matchroom, but it would seem that life has been breathed into the format, for another year at least.
As with the recent lightweight installment held at the York Hall, Bethnal Green we were treated to knockouts, warfare and surprises, everything, which defines this format when it is at its best.
In a developing pattern, Doran was not amongst the stand out favourites going in, but emerged victorious through a superior game plan and ability to utilise his excellent jab, which most fighters neglect in the format in favour of swinging for the fences.
That doesn’t seem to get the job done these days as – the winner of Prizefighter the lightweights III – Jono Carroll and now Tom Doran have proved.
Prizefighter Middleweights III results
Quarter-final 1: Cello Renda beat Liam Conroy: first round stoppage (1.40)
Quarter-final 2: Jack Arnfield beat Mick Hall: split decision 30-27, 29-28, 28-29
Quarter-final 3: Luke Keeler beat Luke Crowcroft: unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Quarter-final 4: Tom Doran beat Craig Cunningham: unanimous decision 30-26, 30-27, 29-27
Semi-final 1: Cello Renda beat Jack Arnfield: split decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29
Semi-final 2: Tom Doran beat Cello Renda: unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Final: Tom Doran beat Cello Renda: third round stoppage (1.16)