By Dan McGovern
Elcock Blasts His Way To English Title
A packed out, vibrant Aston Villa Leisure Centre played host to an excellent derby between local boy Wayne Elcock and near town rival and defending champion, Steve Bendall.
Wayne Elcock made his way to the ring first as challenger, and a cacophony of noise trumpeting his entrance. The bare chested warrior from the Shard End district of the city looked fit, focused and ready.
By contrast champion Bendall looked relaxed and unfazed by the hostile reception that greeted him as he bounced slowly towards the ring. Wayne Elcock, decked out in blue and white shorts, a tribute to his beloved Birmingham City FC, was the first to find his range as he banged home a hard right hand in the opening minute of the contest.
Bendall, wearing Sky Blue trunks befitting a Coventry fighter, returned the favour and appeared to steady Wayne with a southpaw straight left to the top of the head. Elcock, who was setting himself well before firing back, crashed in a pair of right hands. The tone was set with Elcock unleashing power shots, looking to rip the title out of Bendall’s grasp.
By the second round it seemed that Elcock’s right hand simply couldn’t miss and multiple volleys sent Bendall’s head snapping backwards. Elcock unleashed a flurry with Bendall in a corner and an early night looked in the offing. The champion had picked up a cut to his right eyebrow by the round’s end and the raucous chanting of the local fans left you in no doubt as to who was in control.
Bendall (11st 5lbs 9oz) proved his metal in the third as he soaked up wave after wave of Elcock’s power shots. At one point the Brummie blaster unleashed 6 consecutive right hands with Bendall backed against the ropes. A right hand exploded off the point of Steve’s chin mid-ring but there was no question of the champ relinquishing his title without a battle.
The fourth round saw the Bendall comeback begin. A small band of Bendall supported were finally given something to cheer about as Elcock took to the back foot, exhausted from his efforts in the opening stanzas. Bendall crept forward and attacked Elcock’s body along the ropes. The Cov man used his experience well to dominate the centre of the ring; suddenly it appeared an entirely different fight.
The fifth and sixth saw a more mobile Elcock skirt the ring’s edge whilst Bendall advanced cautiously behind a low slung lead arm. Intermittent right hands from Elcock sent the spray flying from the champion’s brow but Elcock’s work was far more measured then in the early part of the fight.
Elcock’s right hand was taking its toll by the seventh, as a swelling appeared beneath Bendall’s eye. The Coventry boxer’s continual advance was abated by Elcock’s more accurate punching from the outside. At the rounds end Elcock accidentally flung himself to the deck following an assault on Bendall, as the Coventry man stalled on the ropes.
The reformed Shard End street fighter opened the eighth with a stiff jab and followed up with shots from both hands. Yet another cracking right hand made Bendall momentarily totter back into the ropes and Elcock jumped on his foe, sensing his moment had come. A fusillade of punches followed as the bloodied Cov fighter was under heavy pressure. Referee Paul Thomas lept between them to award Elcock the hard earned win.
Bendall, now 25-3 (12), put up fantastic resistance, as he soaked up countless clean head shots, displaying an excellent chin into the bargain. The hometown fans erupted in celebration as an elated Elcock climbed the corner ropes. Bendall did not argue with the stoppage but he had put forth a valiant attempt to defend his title.
Elcock, now 17-2 (8), took the ring microphone and thanked the crowd for their excellent, vocal support throughout. He also paid tribute to Bendall and went on to say: “This is only the English, lets get the British and even the world titles back here in Brum”. These sort of hometown triumphs will live long in the memory of Elcock and he has Ken Purchase and his team to thank for securing home town advantage in this tough title tilt.
