'Pitbull' goes down punching

Thatcham boxer loses title challenge to holder after classic bout

BOXING: Bryan Richardson’s bid for the Queensbury Boxing League regional middleweight belt came to a stop when he was taken out of the contest by a fourth round technical knock-out.

But the Thatcham ‘Pitbull’ played his part in a showdown with reigning champion Ben Davies in what was hailed as ‘the fight of the night’ on the league’s ‘Grudge Match’ bill at Epsom on Saturday.

Redhill fighter Davies, seven years Richardson’s junior, was the more technical boxer but Richardson’s spirit was evident as he went for the champion, perhaps too much so as the 5 foot 7 inch Davies was able to slide in punches.

Davies was fcorced to work in the opening round, espcially when Richardson unleashed one right that caught his breath.

Richardson continued to over big rights in the next round, catching and missing and eventually forced Davies to respond in kind, cutting the Thatcham taxi driver.

Davies eventually coped with the danger in the fourth round however, when Richardson’s early effort showed and he was twice put down by the champion, while still attempting to throw punches.

Referee Seamus Dunne then stepped in to save Richardson from further punishment, but Richardson earned hire share of the laudits from a crowd brought standing at the finish.