Dave Oakes recaps all the action from this past Saturday's Upton Park undercard featuring Derek Chisora's British heavyweight title win over Danny Williams.  James DeGale, Frankie Gavin, Billy Joe Saunders, Liam Walsh, Ryan Walsh, Ricky Burns, Craig Evans and Matthew Hall were all on the card.

Danny Williams’ career came to a quick end on the undercard after he was demolished inside two rounds by a fired up Derek Chisora in a bout for the British heavyweight title.

Chisora controlled the first round by out-speeding an atrocious looking Williams. Williams said in the build up to the fight that he was a shot fighter and he proved himself correct as he came in overweight and looked to have no balance, timing, speed or punch resistance.

The end came just after the halfway stage of the second round. Williams had been dropped thirty seconds prior to the stoppage, a left hook causing the damage. He got to his feet but was in trouble soon afterwards as Chisora teed off on him, the fight being halted as a chopping right sent Williams sprawling down into the ropes.

Chisora took the right approach to the fight, he’s been lazy at times in the past but he knew that Williams was an easy target and took full advantage. Let’s not kid ourselves, though, Williams is well past his best and would’ve been knocked out by the majority of heavyweights in Britain at this stage in his career. In my opinion, the win does little to enhance Chisora’s standing.

Williams announced his retirement after the fight, which he’d promised to do win or lose, and I’m glad that he’s decided to call it a day; he’s been nothing more than a walking punchbag for the few years of his career.

He’s had one of the most bizarre careers I’ve ever witnessed and finishes with a respectable 41-9 (31KO’s) record. He won British and Commonwealth titles and challenged for a world title, but I feel he never fulfilled his potential. He was always entertaining and was involved in numerous wars; I hope he enjoys his retirement, he deserves to.

James DeGale took his unbeaten record to 7-0 (5KO’s) with an emphatic fifth round stoppage of Sam Horton. DeGale wasn’t as smooth as normal but was always on top, outboxing and befuddling his opponent from both orthodox and southpaw stances.

Despite landing the odd shot of his own, Horton was taking a hammering at times. The end eventually came in the fifth after DeGale detonated a spectacular three punch combination, finishing with a right hook that dropped Horton heavily. Horton tried desperately to get to his feet but the referee sensibly waved the fight off.

DeGale isn’t too far away from a shot at either the British or Commonwealth titles. I’d love to see him in against the likes of a Kenny Anderson or Stevie McGuire next; they’d be the ideal stepping stone towards domestic honours.

Frankie Gavin annihilated Gavin Tait in just over two minutes. Gavin looked intent on forcing an early stoppage, jumping on Tait from the opening bell and taking him to pieces with some brutal body shots. Tait was trapped in the corner and taking heavy shots when the referee saved him from the inevitable bad knockout that was about to happen.

Gavin moves to 7-0 (6KO’s) and has all the makings of a world champion. He’s fast, skilful, tactically aware, solid in defence, carries decent power, throws beautiful body shots and is dedicated. It’s fair to say I haven’t been this excited by a British prospect for a long time.

Another great prospect is Liam Walsh, one of three fight brothers from the Norwich area. He dropped and stopped his opponent, Ibrar Riyaz, in the first round - a left hook to the body floored Riyaz, who was then stopped moments later after a head jolting left uppercut and left to the body had him in trouble.

Liam moves to 8-0 (7KO’s) and looks like a fighter who can go far.

One of his brothers, Ryan, also claimed a first round stoppage on the undercard. He made short work of Eugene Heagney, stopping him inside a minute. Heagney was taking too many shots, and whilst not being seriously hurt, was way out of his depth.

Billy Joe Saunders looked rusty as he took a six round points win over Andy Butlin. Saunders was never in any danger but didn’t look impressive against an opponent he should’ve made more of an impression on.

Ricky Burns went through the motions to take a points victory over the resilient Yousef Al Hamidi. It was an easy night for Burns who’s looking for a shot at WBO champ Roman Martinez later in the year.

Debutant Craig Evans impressed, he needed just forty seconds to stop Dan Carr. Obviously feeling the nerves, he went after Carr like a man possessed and clubbed him to submission with some hefty shots from his southpaw stance.

He looked a little bit open to counter-shots but there were far more positives than negatives and he looks like one to keep an eye on.

Other Results: Matthew Hall stopped Tony Randell in the third round, Freddie Turner out pointed Duncan Cottier over four, Vinny Mitchell got back to winning ways by beating Daniel Thorpe on points, and George Michael Carmen beat Johnny Greaves on points over four rounds.

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