Brave Stevens sunk in five by body shots

Kirk Stevens…halted by top prospect Steven Cairns

KIRK Stevens fought with trademark courage, but heart alone was not enough.

On Queensberry Promotions’ major show at Planet Ice, Altrincham, last night (Saturday), Telford’s own Rocky was halted in five rounds by Steven Cairns.

Body shots sunk the 35-year-old lightweight. Kirk bravely pulled himself up at eight after being a left hook sent him to the canvas, and a carbon copy shot dropped him again seconds later.

Again, the former Midlands champ was on his feet at eight, but referee Mark Lyson had seen enough. He halted the scheduled eight rounder at one minute 40 seconds.

It always looked a big ask for southpaw Stevens, having his first fight under the BCB banner. Former fine amateur Cairns, from Cork, has now won 12 in a row, eight inside distance. The 23-year-old is carving a “bodysnatcher’s” reputation.

“Kirk has been in the game three or four years max,” said trainer Tristan Davies. “We knew he was up against it, we knew body shots were the danger. Only body shots hurt him, nothing else did.”

For Davies, the priority is to get Stevens good pay-days and build some memories for the gladiator.

“He’s 35, there comes a stage when you have to roll the dice,” Davies said. “Is Kirk going to become British, European or world champion? No.

“He had about six amateur bouts, a few white collars. He’s won a Midlands title and a (last man standing) tournament. He’s done things not many have done.

“Kirk was gutted after the fight, but enjoyed the moment – staying at the Hilton Hotel, being looked after well. How many people from Telford can say they’ve fought on a Frank Warren TV show? A handful and most of them have come from our (Donnington) gym.”

Against Cairns, Stevens started brightly. He kept busy, always looked to respond when tagged and tried to force the prospect back. He’s a hardman who isn’t intimidated by reputations.

But by the fourth, Cairns’ heavy punches, particularly downstairs, were visibly taken their toll.

Kirk will be back, Tristan added. “We’ll get him a win on a local show and go again.”

Cairns, a boxer being groomed for stardom, paid tribute to his opponent: “He’s a very tough kid, he gave his all, but when I land those body shots they don’t recover.”

Kirk lost for the fifth time in 13 outings (one draw).