Hillman Still UBO Champion, Gorsh Wins Africa Crown

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MARCH 6, 2024 / BY BY UBO PRESS OFFICER

In front of a crowd of several thousands, including Ghanaian all-time-great Azumah Nelson, UBO Inter-Continental Bantamweight champion Martin Hillman successfully defended his title for the first time against hard-punching Tanzanian challenger Baraka Mchongi.

Hillman was in control early on, neutralizing the danger Mchongi brought to the table, mainly a sharp uppercut, by jabbing nicely to keep him at bay, following up with right hands and effectively avoiding most counter-attacks with good movement.

Mchongi, who had won five straight going in, had good moments, especially in the second half of the fight, where he was pressing the action and appeared to unsettle Hillman, but the champion showed resolve and discipline and was never in big danger.

The challenger went all out in the tenth and final round, forcing Hillman on the back-foot as he attempted to find the knockout-punch he needed, but, while he did momentarily rattle the Brit with a hard left hook, it was not to be.

All three judges scored the fight in favour of Hillman: 96-94, 96-94 and 98-94, improving the London-man´s professional record to 17-7 (2). Mchongi, who proved that he deserved to be in the fight despite a mediocre record, falls to 7-7 (7).

Fighting outside his native United Kingdom for the first time, Hillman had support in the arena from the local supporters of his favourite football club West Ham, as “The Ghanaian Hammers” had turned up in force to root for him.

The main event, a terrific match-up between local rivals Daniel Gorsh and Moses Adjei Selvi for the vacant UBO Africa Super Bantamweight title, took the atmosphere in the arena to the next level. No feeling out, as both went to work from the opening bell.

Two big punchers trading leather, going for the knockout, it was exhilarating stuff, and the spectators voiced their approval by cheering loudly and dancing between rounds. Some would call it mad scenes, but in Accra its another night at the fights.

Both contenders threw plenty of fast combinations, but Gorsh appeared physically stronger and slightly quicker, and was mainly the one going forward as the fight started to firmly tip in his favour from the third round.

Selvi answered his attacks as best he could, but he was feeling the pressure and things began to crumble for him as Gorsh was pushing him back, looking more and more like a man on a mission. But it was always competitive and entertaining.

So it was anticlimactic when, in round six, Selvi slumped to the canvas, claiming injury. In consultation with the doctor it was decided that he could not continue, and when the referee ruled that the injury had come from an accidental foul, the fight went to the judges scorecards.

It was, however, a formality as it was clear that Gorsh had been the better man, and all thee judges voted in his favour: 50-45, 49-46. 49-46, making him the winner by unanimous Technical Decision with five completed rounds scored.

23-year-old Gorsh took his unbeaten record to 11-0 (8). Selvi (21) drops to 8-2-1 (8), but can certainly still have a bright future in the ring.

Photos: iboxtv360