Davies takes title from brave Turley (From South Wales Argus)

Davies takes title from brave Turley

11:20am Monday 8th June 2009

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EXPERIENCE and power won out over potential and tenacity at the Newport Centre on Friday evening as Dai Davies beat Rob Turley to win the Welsh featherweight title in nine gruelling rounds.

Cefn Fforest warrior Turley, still only 22 years old, must reflect that his time will come around again after failing to produce his best against a highly motivated and fully focused Davies, the Merthyr man who had hinted he would quit the sport if he were to lose the ten- rounder.

Davies had come into the contest after losing five times in a row, but a look at the names who beat him – including Rendell Monroe, Jamie Arthur and Jason Booth – suggested Turley was in for a tough test stepping up in class, as well as the prospect of fighting past six rounds for the very first time.

And that proved to be the case as Davies deservedly won out with a terrific display, Turley’s lack of big-fight experience evident as Davies stuck to his game plan and landed the more telling blows throughout.

Turley showed great stamina and desire as the early rounds almost entirely went against him, ironically enjoying more of the fight in the later rounds as Davies appeared to tire after roughing up the former Commonwealth Games man with some terrific body shots.

However, a brutal left hand in the ninth round opened another cut around Turley’s left eye (he had been cut in the seventh) and experienced referee Wynford Jones was quite right to call a halt to proceedings before the final round.

There was absolutely no way Turley should’ve been allowed to continue – he was cut almost to the bone. However, at 22 and with just two defeats to his record, Turley can come again, particularly as he possesses tremendous speed, even for a feather.

However, the home favourite’s defeat played its part in another excellent night of boxing, the Sanigar Promotions show attracting their biggest audience yet with several fighters from Tony Borg’s St Joseph’s stable showcased with a pair of Enzo Calzaghe punchers.

It was great to see Calzaghe back at his most comfortable, in the corner on fight night, rather than being embroiled in boxing politics and litigation.

However, Calzaghe will no doubt be mortified that his young cruiserweight fighter, Hari Miles, is considering quitting after suffering a first pro defeat to Cardiff’s Wayne Brooks over four rounds.

Politics had kept Miles out of the ring for 15 months and he was more than a little unlucky to lose the tricky fight on referee Rhys Carter’s scorecard, the 58-57 decision at odds with the scribes at ringside, all of whom had Miles slightly ahead, or at least given a share of the fight.

Miles, the former bin man, will be bitterly disappointed to have lost an extremely close fight after his most mature and impressive performance.

Miles was being well supported by stablemates Bradley Pryce and Gavin Rees, with former Team Calzaghe member Enzo Maccarinelli also on hand to lend his backing.

Also in the audience were fighters Jamie Way, Jamie Arthur, Matthew Edmonds, Mo Nasir and Gary Buckland.

Strangely, Miles lost his gum shield on two occasions in the first and when it happened for a third time in round three, Brooks’ supporters booed the Newport boxer, who came into the fight with a 3-0 record.

But Miles’ use of the jab and better ring presence meant the verdict at the end came as a surprise. He would be well advised to consider fighting on, particularly as a rematch is appealing.

It was better news for Newport in the later fights, with Justyn Hugh and debutant Lee Churcher both victorious.

Light heavyweight Hugh went to 4-0 with by far his best performance, beating Maidenhead-based Pole Mikhail Banbula 59-57 over four rounds.

Hugh dominated the fight with an improved strategy and stamina apparent, confidently jabbing his way to victory.

“That was my best performance and I just want to keep improving and see where it takes me,” he reflected.

Churcher was arguably a little fortunate to take a close 58-56 decision over Merthyr’s Luke Osman (he started well but faded a little in the later rounds over six twos) but he did show plenty of promise in his pro debut.

The 29-year old came to the ring in army kit after years spent in the forces and enjoyed a superb fan following.

Enzo Calzaghe’s second fight of the night was more enjoyable for him, Jamie Todd winning the all-Swansea battle with Adam Farrell comprehensively, 60-54 on Wynford Jones’ scorecard.

Swansea’s James Lilley beat Bristol-based Turk Rocky Chakir 58-57, and Bristol’s Daniel Roberts dominated David Sadler from Leeds 60-53 in the other bouts.

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