Wins for Chanturia/Townley

9 May 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Boxing fans enjoying Belfast Promotions Holiday Inn fight night were left with more questions than answers regarding heavyweight prospect Vladimir Chanturia, following a one-sided knockout win for the V-Train.

When original opponent Tomasz Zeprzalka was scratched from the schedule, Budapest native Sandor Forgacs stepped in to fill the gap. Weighing in at 18st 1lb 6oz Vladimir looked chunky but focused as referee for the evening Paul McCullagh called the men in for final instructions. Forgacs looked to use his southpaw stance to confuse Chanturia and narrow the clear weight disparity (Sandor scaled 15st 6lb 4oz).

The Hungarian visitor landed a couple of meaty replies as Chanturia, a former Olympic bronze medallist, stalked with jabs and right hands. An uppercut followed by a fairly innocuous flurry of punches resulted in Forgacs suddenly dropping to one knee and taking a count. He rose and appeared set to continue only to see referee McCullagh call it off somewhat prematurely. The crowd were surprised and Forgacs offered a meek protest, but after such an early collapse it was difficult to see him lasting too much longer.

The time was recorded as 1.13 of the opener with the official verdict being that Forgacs was unable to continue. Vladimir seemed pleased with his nights work, gesturing to ringside and staking his claim as a future world champion. That remains to be seen, but The Midnight Train from Georgia got the job done on this occasion.

In a middleweight 4×3 Lincoln import Rick Boulter appeared a little unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a 39-37 points reverse to Bangors Phil Townley. Rugged Townley lost his debut to Joe Rea in the Odyssey last November but rebounded here with his first pro victory in a hotly contested affair between novice pros.

Southpaw Boulter (11st 7lb 4oz) also lost his debut (in the York Hall via stoppage) but started swiftly, using a sharp jab and fast left hand to keep Townley at bay before the home fighter warmed up with some left hooks of his own. 30-year-old Rick had a more solid look about him, using straight shots down the pipe to discourage Townley (11st 7lb 10oz) whose shots were thrown from wide angles.

I had Boulter winning two of the first three rounds (with one even) leaving Phil needing a big last round to try and pull it out of the fire. He was more aggressive and pushed Boulter hard in the final session to take the round, but not the fight, on my card. Referee Paul McCullagh raised Townleys hand much to the chagrin of the away fighter and his corner man Carl Greaves, who protested the decision.

I lost my first fight and I dont dispute that at all, but I think I won this one, said Boulter at the post-fight press conference. I wouldnt even have complained at a draw though, it was a close fight.