Brilliant Brad Strand moves up to 5-0
Unbeaten super-bantamweight prospect Brad Strand (5-0, 2KO) scored his second stoppage victory of his two-and-a-half-year professional career against Steven ‘Livewire’ Maguire (1-22-1), on Friday, July 30 at the Devonshire House Hotel in Liverpool.
The 24-year-old from Liverpool, trained by Paul Stevenson at the Everton Red Triangle gym, secured the stunning knockout on a Black Flash Promotions event in what was his first fight back in a year.
It was also the former ABA Elites champion’s first time moving up to six-rounds, which he didn’t need to use, instead forcing a halt to the contest midway through with a patient, classy and devastating performance.
Maguire was a North West amateur champion, now 34-years-old, and entered into this contest confidently off the back of a win for the first time in his 24-fight pro career.
As the pair both stood in close in the centre of the ring during round three, Strand stood firm as southpaw Maguire attacked to counter-land two strong right uppercuts in succession with celerity and strength, followed by a heavy right hook that crumpled the 'Livewire' to the canvas. He tried to get back to his feet, but he staggered backwards into the ropes, clearly unable to continue.
Trainer Paul Stevenson was proud of his unbeaten charge, stating: "It was a one-punch knockout. Brad landed some great uppercuts and left hooks in rounds one and two, then threw a perfect right hand in round three. It was really classy performance."
Strand’s last fight was behind closed doors in the Stratford-based BT Sport studios on the undercard of Lyndon Arthur’s Commonwealth light-heavyweight title defence to Dec Spelman, a whole year ago on July 31, 2020. That night, he defeated one of Britain’s best journeymen in Brett Fidoe, 40-36 on points, to kick off his TV debut in style.
During his time away from the ring, Strand told BBN previously that he had added lots more muscle and become stronger during his training.
Signed to Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, he now hopes for at least two more fight dates this year.
“Normally, I would have been about 12-0 by now, but hopefully I’ll get a few dates off Frank Warren before the end of the year,” he hoped.
Before that however, he plans to enjoy a few well deserved days off after this latest fight and has it all planned out already, he said excitedly, “I’m having a Chinese on Saturday, then a pizza on Sunday! My mum owns a cupcake business, working from home, and I’ve already put my order in for a cheese and onion pie and some cupcakes!”
Despite the plans to have a few days off, Strand is adamant he’ll be back in the gym within just a few days, “Paul normally gives us a week off, but I’ll probably just have the Monday, then get back in the gym on Tuesday.”
‘Back in Business’
The Friday fight night event on July 30 was suitably named ‘Back in Business’.
Debutants Leon Willings from Widnes; Rebecca Ainscough from Liverpool; and Mike Minard, also from Liverpool, all kicked off their pro careers with a win each.
Another Widnes fighter Josh Breedon (2-0) doubled his win tally with 40-36 points win over Ryan Hibbert (1-12) in a four-round light-heavyweight bout.
Jay Munn moved up to 4-0 with another landslide points win. The 22-year-old Welshman, known as 'Rhoose Rhino' has yet to lose a single round yet.
To follow Everton Red Triangle on Facebook, click here Everton Red Triangle FB Page
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News