By James Slater – Tonight in London, former British heavyweight title challenger John McDermott of Essex scored a sensational 1st-round stoppage of the hyped Larry Olubamiwo of Hackney, London. The 30-year-old, a slight underdog, came out fast and he caught the fantastically-muscled 32-year old with some sharp shots to the head.
Scoring two knockdowns, McDermott got the TKO at just one-minute and 15-seconds of the opening session. Now 26-7(17), McDermott may be rewarded with another shot at the British title. It will be a long road back for the man known as “The War Machine, “ who was stopped for the first time in falling to 10-2(9)..
Both men came out fast at the bell, looking to get off with punches. It was McDermott who was the more accurate of the two, however, and he soon countered an Olubamiwo attack with a sharp left hand followed by a hard right. Olubamiwo’s legs wobbled badly and he was clearly hurt and in trouble. McDermott, not generally known as a big puncher, saw his chance and went after his man.
Another right hand to the chin sent big Larry crashing, with the end of the fight very much in sight. Bravely beating the count, the taller, heavier man (6’4” and 263-pounds to McDermott’s 6’3” and 256) was unable to clear his head. More rights and lefts rained in on “The War Machine,” and soon he was down for a second time. Again Olubamiwo beat the count, but referee and sole judge Geoffrey Hines had seen enough and waved the fight off.
McDermott, who has been referred to as “British boxing’s unluckiest fighter” due to the way at least three decisions he appeared to win went the other guy’s way, went into an act of celebration by letting out a triumphant scream.
Heading into tonight’s fight, many wondered what the man who twice lost to Tyson Fury recently had left to offer. Judging by his speed of hand and his accuracy and power, McDermott has quite a bit left. Asked afterwards by Sky Sports what he’d like next, the winner said he thinks he deserves another shot at the British belt (currently held by Derek Chisora).
Feeling he is very much an uncrowned British champ due to the way he believes he beat then champ Danny Williams in their July 2008 fight, McDermott wants another chance to win the title for real. If Chisora either loses in his world title challenge of Wladimir Klitschko or vacates the British title, maybe promoter Frank Maloney can get his fighter McDermott a fourth crack at the championship.