Hometown triumph for beefy on bizarre night

Hometown triumph for beefy on bizarre night of boxing. "S***H****!" was Liam Smith's shout towards a surrendered Hassan Mwakinyo as Saturday night's boxing action ended in an unsatisfactory manner in Liverpool.

To quote my piece last week, it was 'back to the real stuff' after a chaotic week of influencer boxing hit London.

After a big win in New York last time out, Liam was back in his manor for a fight that plays a part in his quest to become two-time world champion. His opponent, Mwakinyo, would be best remembered in these parts for stopping Sam Eggington inside two back in 2018.

Ranked inside the top five with the WBC & WBO, there was plenty at risk for Liam who, if defeated, would wave goodbye to not just his world title ambitions, but his career on boxing's top rung.

For a fighter like Mwakinyo, you would surely consider this fight the opportunity of a lifetime. Win, and you're in the conversation for a shot at the belts. Lose, and it's back to the small hall scene of east Africa.

That is why the events that unfolded can only be described as bizarre.

Now it is easy of course to speak with hindsight, and I wasn't in Liverpool last week, but turning up late into the fight week and missing the press conference is hardly the actions of a man with serious intentions.

Benefit of the doubt, though, as it is what happens in the ring that really matters...

In fact, thank god that is the case, as his ringwalk hardly portrayed the look of a man who felt comfortable on this stage. I'm almost convinced he nearly got lost on a one-way platform. Regardless, he was in the ring and it was time for Beefy to head out in front of his supporters. As expected, the noise levels cranked up a notch for one of the city's favourite sons.

And so it was go time.

The start was fairly hesitant from Beefy, who was throwing his jab to measure up Mwakinyo without providing the Tanzanian with many slots to get his own work away. Mwakinyo began to initiate pressure, and did let a few right hands go but with little success. The shows of class came from Beefy, with some neat body work following the more powerful shots upstairs.

Then came what turned out to be the most important, yet puzzling, moment of the fight.

When backing up towards his corner, Mwakinyo momentarily lost his footing and stumbled against the ropes. This would ultimately lead to the conclusion of the fight a round later.

Yet in the time that remained in round three, Mwakinyo, despite moving hesitantly, managed to open Beefy up. A right hook burst through the guard and a buoyant switch to southpaw followed. The Tanzanian also clocked Beefy with one after the bell, which he nor his corner understandably took well.

Beefy came out with bad intentions in the fourth, and the first of two fairly unjustified 'knockdowns' followed. Referee Victor Loughlin halted all action after knockdown two, and despite boos from those inside the M&S Bank Arena, you have to say there was probably no other option for the referee when a fighter is surrendering himself in such a manner.

Beefy was open in the week about the rounds the two had shared in sparring, and didn’t hesitate to say he believed Mwakinyo had a quit in him. Maybe he was right.

Now I know he's one who divides opinion, but Johnny Nelson was quick to lay the 'dive' card on Mwakinyo which, if we're honest, is difficult to disagree with.

Either way, Beefy walks away with a win and there will likely be something mega on the horizon. However, you do have to feel for him in that his potentially last win in front of his home crowd was made an unsatisfactory one.

I say last win, that may not be the case, but at 154lbs all paths to glory lead Stateside. Jermell Charlo has the marbles wrapped up, and it would take a likely unfeasible figure for him to leave his home comforts to defend his belts.

Now, onto the biggest night in female boxing history we go!