DYLAN Norman looked strong and aggressive in hammering out a one-sided points win over Fonz Alexander at the Holiday Inn.
Alexander, a dead-ringer for Mickey, the gypsy fighter in film Snatch, had to take meaty shots to head and body and ended the bout with his nose busted-up.
At times, the Newark veteran of 189 fights managed to force Norman to the ropes and threw scuffing shots, but would then get caught as he exited the exchanges.
He tried keeping things at distance, then attempted to smother Norman’s work inside. Both failed to stop heavy punches connecting.
Alexander earned his pay and deserves credit for attempting to rally in the last. On BCB’s Birmingham Airport bill, Norman was simply too fresh and ambitious in an entertaining battle.
Referee Peter McCormack scored the four rounder a shut-out 40-36. Knowle’s Norman and his new trainer John Costello will be pleased with Sunday afternoon’s work.
The 25-year-old super-lightweight, whose noisy fans chanted “Dylan the Norman” throughout the bout, is now 11-0 and ready for the step-up to area title level.
Norman (10st 6lbs), having his first outing since February, doubled-up on a ramrod jab in the first and connected with a very solid right within seconds of the start.
He did ship one decent left hook, but those Norman rights – to head and body – carried so much more authority.
Dylan found another gear in the second, banged-in two heavy hooks to Alexander’s ribs and the journeyman grinned after taking a big right just before the bell sounded.
Blood spilled from the visitor’s nose in the third. Alexander (10st 7lbs) tried to keep it atboxbox close quarters, yet Norman invariably had the final word.
Fonz attempted to trade in the last – and paid the price. He was rattled by a right to head and body, then momentarily frozen by a left hook. That – Dylan’s best punch of the contest – was slung with the prospect’s back to the ropes.
Norman’s an exciting box-fighter who, in his own words, is “ready to explode”. Next year, as he has tested against stiffer opposition, fans will discover the scale of that explosion.
