Jeamie Tshikeva (7-1, 4 KOs) picked up a sixth-round stoppage victory over Franklin Ignatius (6-1-1, 1 KOs) at London’s Copper Box Arena tonight (October 19).
Tshikeva, 30, started the fight on the front foot and Ignatius strangely seemed to be happy to sit in the corner, attempting to counter with limited success. Ignatius, 29, came out for the second with more desire, standing and trading center ring with his opponent, having success with the jab.
Tshikeva pressed the action in the third, but Ignatius was able to counter well, showing his clear advantage in speed. Tshikeva, however, had the size and power over Ignatius; he used it to his advantage and walked his opponent down.
Tshikeva had his best round of the fight in the fourth and pinned his man in the corner, unloading heavy shots. In the fifth, the pressure of Tshikeva started to have more of an effect on the retreating Ignatius and he was forced to hold.
The end came in the sixth when Ignatius finally succumbed to the big shots coming his way. Tshikeva landed a powerful left hook that rocked Ignatius and forced him to do what he could to avoid the oncoming onslaught. He couldn’t keep away from the shots, however, and referee Victor Loughlin jumped in after 2 minutes 32 seconds of Round 6.
Before that, Francesca Hennessy (5-0, 1 KO) was lucky to pick up a decision victory over the game Ana Karla Moraes, now 5-1 (2 KOs). The bout was supposed to be a step up for young Hennessy, only 19, and she struggled to deal with the sheer size and aggression of her opponent.
De Moraes, 34, came out to assert dominance in the first, and Hennessy struggled to deal with the clear power difference of her opponent. Hennessy began to use her boxing skills in the second but again was forced into wild exchanges with the attacking De Moraes.
Hennessy didn’t shy away from the oncoming De Moraes, at times holding her feet and swinging a little too much to her corner’s liking. She would again try and box from a distance but was unable to gain the respect of her aggressive opponent.
De Moraes came out with bad intentions in the fifth and bullied the young Hennessy around the ring. The wild shots were clearly having an impact on Hennessy and her face showed a picture of the fight. The brave youngster again didn’t shy away from the action and finished the round on the front foot.
De Moraes seemed to tire in the sixth after her efforts in the previous round. Hennessy landed the best shot of the fight, countering a lazy jab with a right hand that stumbled the Brazilian backward.
De Moraes rallied in the seventh, bringing the pressure that had brought her success throughout the fight. Hennessy still managed to find room for her counters but she was again being outworked by the oncoming De Moraes.
Hennessy came out for the final round knowing that she probably needed it to be in with a chance of getting a decision on the cards. The round was scrappy but again the work rate and power from De Moraes gave her the more eye catching shots.
Hennessy’s trainer Bradley Skeete lifted her up at the sound of the final bell. De Moraes already knew what was about to happen. She didn’t bother celebrating and when a score of 78-74 was read out she didn’t bother to complain. Hennessy’s team may have seemed like they were happy with her performance, but they will know there is much to improve on.
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