In the Yokkao 12 main event from The Macron in Bolton, Odenplan Gym’s Sanny Dahlbeck captured the 70kg Yokkao world championship, defeating Jordan Watson with three knockdowns in the fourth round.
Both men were well matched, and it was a close fight from the get go. Bad Company’s Watson leading with the kicks, and The Swede preferring to use his hands.
The fourth round was a whirlwind, fatigued and battered both men threw everything they had, but it was Dahlbeck who got the better of the Brit, dropping his opponent three times, the first time with a good elbow, and the next two times threw good clinch and knee work.
Darren O’Connor put on a valiant performance against Karim Bennoui in the 61.5kg Yokkao 12 co-main event, but Team Nasser K Bennoui’s early onslaught was enough to score him the majority decision. The French thai boxer scored a vicious left hook knock down in the first, followed by a burst. The Brit showed great heart to remain in the fight, after Bennoui started to make his mark in the second and third, cutting O’Connor under the right eye. Thai Style O’Connor did himself proud in the final two rounds, going toe-to-toe with his opponent, without fear, but it wasn’t enough, with Bennoui rightfully scoring the win.
Second ranked Stephen Meleady and third ranked Chris Shaw of the 61.5kg division clashed in a bloody war, but it was Meleady who picked up the unanimous decision in a very hard fought bout. It could have been argued either way, but the Power of Scotland gym Shaw started the more aggressive, with control. However a daggering elbow in the third which cut Bad Company Leeds’ Meleady sprung him into life, as he shifted into a higher gear for the final two rounds, which ultimately helped the win.
Unranked at 65kg, Kyle Helleur scored a TKO victory over Danny Harrison-Little (64.5kg). Both men were embroiled in a dog fight for the first few rounds, but it was Semtex Gym’s Helleur who looked the better. A left elbow, right hand combination dropped fourth ranked Harrison-Little in the third, and after an explosive flurry against the ropes, the ref called the fight in favour of Helleur.
65kg third ranked Myk Estlick defeated Jack McGuire by unanimous decision in a -63.5kg match. The GFC Thai fighter started the fight the stronger of the pair, however McGuire rallied in the second and third rounds. However it was Estlick who showed great dominating finishing the final two rounds with dominance to gain the points win.
Elsewhere at Yokkao 12, in a 72.5kg fight, Kris Addis and Jake Barton battled in a fight of the night candidate. A resilient Addis recovered from two knockdowns in the first to knock out the Elite Southport gym fight in the fourth with a killer right elbow.
Also, at 77kg, Northern Kings’ Juan Cervantes defeated Joe Newton by unanimous decision and Jack Kennedy similarly over Harry Burton in the opening 65kg contest.
Photo Credit – Yokkao Boxing
