One More Round British Scene Edition: Munroe-Nishioka, Walsh-Awuku, Haye-Harrison, Prizefighter Super-Featherweights, Plus More...

Dave Oakes of The Boxing Bulletin's British Scene brings you this week's edition of One More Round.

Rendall Munroe left the Ryogoku Kokugikan in tears on Saturday night after losing a wide points decision to Toshiaki Nishioka. Munroe shouldn’t feel too downhearted though; he put in a courageous effort and impressed everyone watching by battling all the way to the final bell despite taking some vicious shots to both body and head.

The boxing binman still has plenty to offer, he’s a fresh 30 year old who has proven he deserves another crack at a world title. A fight against Steve Molitor would undoubtedly provide him with the greatest opportunity of winning a world title. Molitor, despite being the same age as Munroe, looks to be a fighter in decline and has struggled to recapture his best form since losing to Celestino Caballero a couple of years ago. He’s there for the taking and I hope Munroe gets the chance before another top super-bantam does.

Nishioka deserves a lot of praise for his performance; I think he performed a lot better than most British fans expected him to. He was the clear betting favourite but the way in which he picked off Munroe, ground him down with body shots and kept up a good pace throughout was impressive and slightly surprising.

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Liam Walsh came through a tough fight against Maxwell Awuku on Saturday night to become the first of the three Walsh brothers to claim a professional title. He dominated the early rounds, outboxing and befuddling Awuku with his sharp switch-hitting style.

The tide changed in the sixth however, Awuku began to get his own punches off whilst Walsh, who’d not been past six rounds previously, looked like he was struggling to maintain the pace he’d set early on. The seventh and eighth rounds were the hardest of Walsh’s short career; he had to absorb some solid uppercuts and straight-lefts from the gangly and awkward Ghanaian.

Walsh re-established control in the ninth, wisely deciding to box on the outside rather than staying close in where he was being caught with punches. Awuku continued having sporadic successes but it Walsh who finished the stronger to take a unanimous decision (119-111, 117-112 and 117-113).

The fight was a perfect learning experience for Walsh - he took some shots, went the championship distance, was made to think about his defence and had to earn the victory. These are the kind of fights prospects need to help them progress – winnable but competitive bouts that help them to understand that boxing is harder than just teeing off on journeymen like they do in their first few bouts.

Michael, the eldest Walsh brother, made short work of Ian Bailey, sending the Slough slugger to the canvas three times. The first knockdown came via a right uppercut, Bailey never fully recovered and was dropped twice more before the referee stopped the bout.

Michael is a concussive puncher who’s going to be involved in some entertaining wars in the future. He needs to calm down a bit and be more aware defensively but he looks a good prospect and one his loyal, and very vociferous, army of fans will get their money’s worth from. With him, Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton emerging, the super-bantamweight division in Britain looks like it’s got a bright future.

The third Walsh brother on the show, Ryan, hammered James Ancliff over eight rounds. He was always in control and showed some glimpses of class at times, but unlike Michael, he doesn’t possess the power to put opponents away. One similarity they have is a lackadaisical defence; he needs to work on keeping his hands up when in range or slipping punches rather than being a stationary target.

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The David Haye v Audley Harrison publicity hyperbole is in full flow with both boxers talking a good game. Both are bickering, pouting and posturing like a pair of cheap whores outside a nightclub after one too many Bacardi Breezer’s.

I’ve got to say I’m rather bored by it all, most boxing fans don’t care about what gets said in a press conference, we’ve heard it all before. I’m sure they think it will help PPV sales but to be honest, I think it does more damage to the sport than good.

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British super-featherweight champion Gary Sykes has surprisingly decided to participate in the next instalment of the Prizefighter series on November 20. The chance of winning £32,000 in prize money has swayed the unbeaten Yorkshireman to take what looks like a big risk.

The rest of the line-up looks to be very strong: Derry Matthews, Choi Tseveenpurev, Scott Lawton, Steve Bell, Gary Buckland, Kevin O’Hara and Gary McArthur. The York Hall is the venue once again.

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A match-up between Martin Lindsay and John Simpson looks set for December 15 at the Kings Hall, Belfast. Lindsay takes on Kakhaber Avetisian in a warm up this Saturday.

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Nathan Cleverly has relinquished his European title as he prepares to challenge for world honours. He takes on Alejandro Lakatos for the Interim WBO title on December 11 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.

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The much anticipated bout between Tony Bellew and Danny McIntosh, which was rumoured to be on the same December 11 bill, doesn’t look likely to happen. An agreement between the pair has yet to be reached and it now looks as though Bellew will be facing another foe.

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Dean Harrison has been confirmed as Frankie Gavin’s next opponent. Harrison is a good pro but will be out of his depth against Gavin, who’s the best prospect in British boxing. I’d be very surprised if the fight went the distance.

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Paul Hyland will take on Willie Casey for the vacant European super-bantamweight on November 6 at the University Arena, Limerick. It’s an intriguing all Irish clash that should be a fiery and hard fought battle.

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Unbeaten Irish based Cuban Luis Garcia takes on former super-middleweight world champion Byron Mitchell on the undercard. Mitchell isn’t the fighter he was but is still a good step-up in class for Garcia.

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This week’s pick of the small hall shows takes part on Saturday night at the KC stadium, Hull. The rematch between John Ibbotson and Nick Okoth headlines the show. Ibbotson edged their first encounter on points in what was a crowd pleasing battle. Okoth finally gets his chance to settle the score over five years later.

Tickets are priced at £30 (unreserved) and £40 (reserved) and are available at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call 07960 850645.

e-mail Dave Oakes