Fighters Only

Issue 020

December 2006

14^th October 2006, The Glades Arena, Kidderminster

Written by Peter Hugh Jones, photographed by Geoff Langan

The second Angrrr Management event to be held in the Kidderminster venue featured a massively improved fight card to the ones previously sported by the promotion. The card featured such noteworthy fighters as Ross Mason, Danny Batten, Andy Costello and Tengiz Tedoradze. Yet despite the presence of the ‘big names’, many of the evening’s highlights came from the performances of some of the lesser-known combatants.

One such highlight was supplied by Adam Stanton in the opening bout of the evening. The Team Savage fighter was on fire and, unfortunately for Damien Sayer, was able to land a red-hot arm bar after only 53 seconds. It could be argued that Stanton is only where he is due to his father being one of the promoters of the show, but this young man has earned his place the hard way, having fought his way up the ranks and proved himself with a number of impressive performances. Only 21, a solid professional career surely awaits him.

Perhaps Tim Newman saw Adam Stanton’s quick finish as a challenge, or perhaps Newman was attempting to beat the 20- second record he set for himself when he beat Robert Zeilinzki (Newman has a history of quick finishes. His last three fights have gone a total of 59 seconds!) Either way, Newman will be hard pressed to beat the six-second one punch knockout he scored over Scott Clist. A massive looping overhand shot crashed into Clist’s chin, much to the surprise of those in attendance. Newman is another young prospect, only 21 and full of potential. If he is sensible, he will continue to develop his skills in events such as this and then unleash himself on the bigger shows when ready. Definitely one to watch.

The highly anticipated bout between featherweights Danny Batten and Kyo Nakao proved to be a rather controversial affair. Round one was a very close one to score and could have gone either way, with both men enjoying periods of dominance. Round two was dominated by Batten, who undoubtedly took the points for the second stanza. It was the third round that was to be the source of the controversy.

Whilst Nakao scored the round’s only takedown and spent the majority of the round punching his downed foe, he was also forced to avoid a succession of Batten’s submission attempts. The debate that raged afterwards was one of ‘which man had sought to end the fight?’ Nakao’s ground and pound was perfunctory and insignificant, whilst Batten’s submission attempts rarely gave Nakao cause for concern. The result of the judges deliberation was a unanimous draw. In a fight that many thought that Batten should have won, it appears as though one takedown made all the difference. A rematch has been rumoured but nothing has been confirmed.

It is brave blood that courses through the veins of Phil Macall. Unfortunately for Macall however, the hugely favoured Ross “The Boss” Mason stopped that blood short at his neck. After having suffered several high-profile defeats Mason has been looking to work his way back up through the ranks of the UK welterweight division. Mason’s determination guided him back into winning form with the resounding victory over his opponent. After having spent most of the round on Macall’s back, Mason landed the rear naked choke at 3:37 of the opening round.

The event’s headliner was a bout featuring two leviathans of the UK circuit: Andy Costello and Tengiz Tedoradze. Tedoradze was the favourite coming into the bout, largely because he is the only one of the two to have beaten their common opponent James Thompson. Tengiz mimeographed his Thompson performance, suplexing and pounding Costello with ever increasing ferocity. Midway through the second round Costello let out a little cry during a period of Tengiz’ dominance. That cry ignited Tengiz’ fuse, exploding him into a contemptuous onslaught that forced the referee’s intervention at 2:30 of round two. The bloodied and battered Costello looked rather grateful for the stoppage.

With such a good card on offer Angrrr Management demonstrated that their events are not only the proving ground of the untested, but the forum for pitting experienced UK talent against each other. The success of ‘Grrround and Pound’ elevated Angrrr Management’s stock and left the people of Kidderminster salivating at the possibility of a return visit.