Redlands boxer Michael Black has thwarted newcomer Gary Ross’s chance of winning his professional debut after four intense rounds at the TKO Fight Night in Brisbane on Saturday.
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Mickey “Moneyshot” Black won the junior welterweight by unanimous decision, his unrelenting attacks proving too much for Gary “The Boss” Ross, who took a fall against the ropes early in round two.
Black’s coach Gareth Williams said the game plan was to use the jab and hope that Ross would tire but Black showed his inexperience by pushing too hard for a knockout punch.
“He wanted desperately to knock him out so he probably left his hands down a bit,” Williams said.
Ross – in his first bout in seven years – proved a formidable opponent, with Black on the receiving end of some fierce hooks.
Ross, while happy with his debut, said he would have fought better had the match not been rescheduled two weeks ago.
“I had to go back into camp again. I was ready to fight,” Ross said.
Black said he felt he had proved himself after a draw in his professional debut against Kurt Finlayson in March.
“It was a good fight, I was happy with it,” Black said. “There were a few little issues ... the stepping back, hands weren’t tight enough.”
Both boxers said they were prepared to have a rematch.
“Rematch is my thing but I’ve got to get fit,” Ross said. “I think I need more ring time.”
In the night’s earlier professional bout, James Ryan battered Daniel Maxwell, with the referee ruling a technical knock out two minutes into the first round.
The TKO Fight Night raised funds for Fortitude Boxing’s Todd “TKO” Kidd’s hip replacement surgery.
Ross’s next scheduled fight is May 30 while Black’s is on June 29.
