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Out on his shield – Brave Ormond loses Evans rematch

Stephen Ormond [27 (13)- 6(1)] fittingly went out on his shield in Cardiff on Saturday night.

The 36 year old lost for a second time in WBO European ranking title action to Craig Evans [20(3)-2(1)] and possibly the last time ever if rumours with regard to retiring in the case of defeat are true.

If it was the last time we were to see ‘The Rock’ roll into a pro ring he gave a vintage display in the final stanza of a bout he lost 95-94, 97-92, 98-92 in Wales.

Ormond was asked to give it everything he had in the corner by Daniel Sullivan in the intermission between penultimate and final round and he certainly obliged.

After an unusually patient even picky approach for the majority of the rematch the Clondalkin man reverted to type in the 10th and final round.

Rolling back the years he applied educated pressure and let loose with some trade mark combinations. He rocked the home fighter with a big left hand in the opening five seconds of the stanza, caught him sweet again with a straight right soon after and virtually had his foe out on his feet.

Indeed, Evans was docked a point for holding during the round as he attempted to stop the onslaught. However, the Celtic Warriors Gym fighter, who has been a favourite of the hardcore Irish fans for some years, couldn’t find the killer blow and ultimately lost on the scorecards.

The IFL TV commentators were argued it was close, but lent towards Evans, yet two of the judges scored it quite wide.

Post the announcement the Dubliner was as ever all smiles at it appeared as if the boxer was just happy because to have been in a good fight.

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Evan’s was a clear winner of the majority of the opening rounds. Ormond’s footwork and come forward approach did regularly press him back to the ropes, but that volume work ‘The Rock’ is famous for never followed.

It seemed more tactically than anything else with Ormond electing to fire with a cannon rather than the machine gun he usually has tucked inside the inside pocket of his trench coat.

The veteran fighter, who some lament best years coincided in the worst period of Dublin boxing thus limiting his opportunities, was looking to land big with timed single shots and for the majority of the first four rounds Evans was able to pick up points.

There looked to be a swing in the fifth, but the home fighter ensured there wasn’t a massive shift in the tide with a solid sixth. The seventh was close, but Ormond landed big again in the eight and Evans, who is trained by former Andy Murray European title foe Gavin Rees, looked out on  

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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