Cory looks class act in win over Pombo

Cory O’Regan at Cannock’s Excelsior Club last night

HE may be a proud Yorkshireman, but the regular appearances in our rings have made Cory O’Regan an adopted Birmingham and Black Country boxer.

When a fighter is blessed with the talent O’Regan possesses, I don’t think fans should quibble about geography.

It’s enough southpaw O’Regan is managed by Birmingham’s former world title contender Matt Macklin, who has provided the 29-year-old with plenty of work in our patch.

Macklin was present at Cannock’s plush Excelsior Club last night (Thursday) to watch his protégé pound out a one-sided six round win over Argentinian Jose Maria Pombo, referee Peter McCormack scoring a landslide 60-54.

Don’t ask me why, but 37-year-old Pombo goes by the ring name “Tomate” – “Tomatoe” - and his face was the same colour as the fruit after being second best in every session. O’Regan did everything but squash him to the canvas. He won every second of the scrap.

For O’Regan it was a return to winning ways after the first setback of his career. Unbeaten in 14, he stepped-up to 12 round class in April and was stopped in five by Commonwealth super-lightweight champ Jack Rafferty.

He showed no hang-over from that result against Pombo (10st 6lbs).

“I think he boxed well,” said Macklin. “It’s hard to look good against opponents like that.”

Both he and O’Regan put forward powerful reasons for the Rafferty result. “It was a gamble, the opportunity was there, Cory was 14-0 and we took it,” Macklin added. “It was high-risk, high reward.

“He was fighting above his weight, he boxed well and I just think it’s opened doors. Cory showed he can perform at that level. Now we’re looking to get him to the mandatory position for the British lightweight title.”

O’Regan (10st 4lbs) was razor sharp against Pombo (10st 6lbs), snapping out jabs, then unleashing lightning right hooks to head and body.

The gritty visitor attempted to chug forward, only to be picked off. He lacked the speed, reflexes or power to trouble Cory.

O’Regan found another gear with each round and pinned his man in a corner in the fourth, both fists firing like pistons.

By the sixth it was pure textbook moves from O’Regan. Pombo was hit by snappy double jabs, caught by a classy right hook, then rocked by a heavier hook. The winner closed the show with a heavy right on the bell.

It was a confidence booster for Cory before facing much stiffer tests.