SCOTT Melvin pounded out the frustrations of a disappointing 11 months on the bruised body of Dan Booth.
And at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on Friday, the Manchester man took some truly thunderous blows to the ribs, the dull thuds echoing around the room.
Somehow, Booth survived the pounding to suffer a landslide 40-36 points loss after four one-sided and painful rounds.
Weight, I’m sure, had something to do with that. So did bravery. It was no holiday for Booth at the Holiday Inn.
The man known as The Monk must’ve been praying to hear that final bell.
Chelmsley Wood’s Melvin is a former Midlands lightweight champ who faced a 38-year-old three divisions heavier. At 11st 1lbs, Monk came in as a light-middle.
Melvin, who won for the tenth time in 11 outings, planned to tip the scales at 10st. When made aware of his opponent’s size, the Terrier bulked up to 10st 6lbs.
Weight was the only thing the 24-year-old surrendered to Booth who endured a beat down from first bell to last, despite sporting a decent record of six wins in 13 and fighting for the central area title. Melvin simply had too much of everything, way too much.
Importantly, Melvin’s career is again up and running after being sidelined by hand injury and a drawn-out, on-off title defence saga that came to nothing.
Much bigger things, such as an English title shot, cannot be far away. And Scott, from Eastside gym, has the talent to triumph at a high level: he showed that in his thrilling, come-from-behind Midlands title win over unbeaten Brummie prospect Mykey Lee Broughton.
He is a very accomplished boxer who, I believe, will probably be at his best in the light-welter (10st) division.
Of Friday’s performance, Melvin said: “It was just a bit confusing. His weight was crazy, I thought it was a six rounder and it got turned into a four.
“I hurt him numerous times, he was very heavy, he was tough.”
He added: “Now I just want big fights, titles, I’m ready to go.”
Melvin was sharp and spiteful against Booth, laying down ground rules in the first when a swift one-two pierced his opponent’s guard before a right was slammed to the stomach.
From there on, Melvin worked the body like a chef tenderising steak. Big rights rattled against Booth’s flank. He blocked some, the majority found their target.
He took them, but by the fourth was looking to hang on after taking a sharp right to the head.
I like what Melvin brings to the table. At this level, he’s a class act. It’s time to discover if he’s a class act at a higher level.
