Comeback stoppage win for Stephen Ormond in Belfast

Dubliner Stephen Ormond got back to winning ways and opened the televised-portion of tonight’s Belfast Boxnation show.

The Clondalkin light welter defeated Czech fighter Daniel Bazo at the Titanic Exhibition Centre on what was a happy return to the ring for ‘The Rock.’

Ormond had been sensationally knocked out by a body shot from Zoltan Szabo on an MGM show in Scotland last month, but the 33 year old refused to dwell on the loss and sought to return to action as soon as possible.

So, just five weeks after being counted out, the Celtic Warriors Gym man was back fighting tonight and the Czech Republic’s Daniel Bazo was the man subject to any pent-up frustration, and duly retired after three of the six scheduled rounds.

Bazo had caused a surprise draw in his last fight out in Germany, but there would be no second shock here, as Ormond was on top throughout. The Central European was a former opponent of Declan Geraghty, losing on points to ‘Pretty Boy’ last year – but he wouldn’t last the distance this time.

Ormond began stalking patiently as Bazo furiously circled the ring, largely out of range.

A fight broke out in the second, as the two began to trade. Still the aggressor, Ormond landed one particularly notable right that caught Bazo square on.

As the scrap entered the third it became more one-sided, with Ormond’s signature left hook to the body becoming increasingly prominent.

The third would be the final round of the bout, with Bazo withdrawing at the break, claiming an injured right shoulder.

The much-needed win sees Ormond improve his record to 22(12)-3(1), while Bazo drops to 3(2)-11(3)-3.