Sam ‘Nowhere2’ Hyde returned to action and picked up where he left off before injury in a quality night of boxing at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre.
The announcement of the main event changed the atmosphere. Fans pushed forward towards the ring to secure a better view of the return of Sale fighter Hyde.
Hyde had been out for 3 months with a hand injury and was fighting for the first time since he won the international cruiserweight challenge belt back in March.
Opposition came in the form of Blaise Mendouo who won commonwealth bronze in 2010. Mendouo waited in the ring as calm as you like. He seemed to be enjoying the big occasion.
Hyde came out in the first round and controlled the fight. He claimed the centre of the ring and made Mendouo fight on the back foot.
Second round. Different story. Hyde was cut. Mendouo gained confidence and started to take control of the fight. A spectator, who had somehow found his way to the ringside area, screamed into the ring for Sam to up his game.
Mendouo got a telling off from the referee in the third for a head butt directed at the fans favourite Hyde.
The second half of the fight was as close and both fighters had good moments. Hyde was pushed back at times but covered up well to negate Mendouo’s attacks for the most part. The Sale fighter also had his own good moments landing good shots but failing to capitalise on his chance to pounce.
The decision went the way of Hyde. The arena erupted in celebration. A single point separated the fighters. The fight could have gone either way.
The high standard of boxing was not restricted to the main event. Every fight on the card was close and a competitive contest. Fighters were well matched up with their opponent and drama was ever present.
Shayne Singleton brought a strong following with him but his fans were shocked when he went down in the third round. He got up from the canvas and composed himself boxing his way to a draw. Singleton was fighting on the card after his British title fight was pushed back.
A heated match up in the welterweight division between Steve Danio and Serge Ambomo also went to the wire. The fighters were constantly exchanging words during the fight and the bad feeling continued after Danio was announced the victor and Ambomo stormed out of the ring.
Mindlas Baubly recorded the only stoppage of the night after the referee called it a night for Will O’Reilly late in the fourth round.
Ryan Oliver lost out to Nathan Hardy. Oliver was humble in defeat and pointed to the fact that he could have taken an easier fight to boost his record but wanted to test himself.
Michael Gomez edged the final fight of the night against Yousef Al-Hamidi. However, Gomez was frustrated with his performance and pointed out his poor footwork as the reason to his disappointment.
L-Sel promotions promised more than quality boxing. The promoter James Lindemann is very passionate in informing visitors to his shows that his events try to accommodate everybody.
They offered a charity raffle with the main prize being tickets to Manchester United’s game against Liverpool, which I had my eye on. Unfortunately my ticket was not pulled out of the hat.
The charity L-Sel worked with was Greater Manchester who attempt to use sport and physical activity to change peoples lives.
Celebrities attended from reality television and music. Former European champion Jamie Moore was in attendance working for sports bible who covered.
The after party that L-Sel organised, which took place at the same venue, was a source of excitement. People sat around me were talking about it and I must admit I was disappointed I was driving and could not get involved.
The Arabian themed after party itself was in a separate room located behind the main arena and the set up of the room looked excellent.
Return of the Hyde was L-Sel’s second event and if they continue in this fashion there will be many more to come.
Image courtesy of JDSports via Twitter, with thanks.
