Prizefighter Light-Middleweights report - Fight by fight - 25/02/2010
Final – Prince Arron v Brett Flournoy
Prince Arron won on points (29-28, 28-27, 29-28)
The final was one of the hardest fights of the night with the £32,000 on the line for the winner.
The decisive moment came in the last round when Arron unleashed a flurry of punches and caught Flournoy with a right hand to send him to the canvas.
That proved to be the critical moment as each of the three judges gave the points decision to Arron by only one point.
“I came here to win and I didn’t come her to go out in the quarter-finals or semi-finals," said Arron.
“After beating Bradley Pryce I thought I had it won. Brett was a bit tougher with his south paw and I felt it was close up to the knockdown.
“But in the third round I came to life, came across him with a peach of a right hand and got the victory.
“I’m quite experienced for a 22-year-old and Bob Shannon (his trainer) is the best man I’ve ever met in my life.
“Winning this tournament I dedicate to Bob. He has put a lot of hard work and time into helping me.” 
Prince Arron floors Brett Flournoy in the final. Pic: Lawrence Lustig.
Semi-final 2 – Brett Flournoy v Steve O’Meara
Brett Flournoy won on points (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
THE second semi-final saw the two previously-undefeated fighters battle for the right to meet Prince Arron in the Prizefighter Light-Middleweights final.
Neither fighter dominated the opening round as the action was a bit scrappy, although O’Meara, who was the more attacking in the first three minutes, had probably done enough to get the interest from the ringside judges.
Despite being cut to the side of his left eye in the second, Flournoy ended the round struggling as he began to stamp his authority on the clash.
Cheered on by stablemate Carl Dilks, a semi-finalist in Prizefighter Light-heavyweights, Flournoy enjoyed a fine last round and worked hard as the decision went to the judges scorecards.
Dave Parris had O’Meara winning by two rounds to one, but Howard Foster and John Keane gave the decision to Flournoy and the Merseyside man was in the final. 
Brett Flournoy (right) overcame a tough battle against Steve O'Meara in the semi-final. Pic: Lawrence Lustig.
Semi-final 1 – Prince Arron v Bradley Pryce
Prince Arron won on points (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
PRINCE Arron caused the biggest shock of the night as he claimed victory over former Commonwealth Champion Bradley Pryce.
It was a deserved success for Arron as he again utilised his excellent left jab as he had done earlier in the night against George Hillyard.
After only landing three shots compared to 25 from Arron, Pryce trudged back to his corner shaking his head clearly unhappy at how the contest was going.
Pryce was having to work really hard to get at his opponent and he had some success with a heavy right hand shot in the second but then instantly got caught with three jabs.
Arron boxed beautifully throughout the contest in one of the most convincing victories of the night. He landed 72 shots compared to 24 from Pryce and deservedly advanced to the final.
“I knew I could get to the final, that’s why I’m in the competition,” said Arron. “Over three rounds I’m the man to look out for. There are big names in the competition but I’ve just beaten a big name.
“In the first fight I was a bit nervous but I’ve been getting better as the rounds have gone on. Pryce was up for it but I boxed his head off.” 
Prince Arron (right) on his way to victory over Bradley Pryce in the semi-final. Pic: Lawrence Lustig
Quarter-final 4 – Martin Concepcion v Steve O’Meara
Steve O'Meara won on points (30-27, 30-28, 30-27)
STEVE O’Meara had a large amount of support inside the York Hall and showed why he had been heavily backed with an impressive victory over Midlands Area Champion Martin Concepcion.
O’Meara stumbled getting in the ring but that was his only mistake as he claimed a deserved points win over the more experienced Concepcion.
O’Meara landed with a fast left-right combination to the head in the opener and followed that with a big left hook, although it did not rock Concepcion.
Another fine left hook landed in the second as O’Meara landed frequently inside the first six minutes.
Concepcion had won ten of his contests inside the opening three rounds but never looked like making it 11. O’Meara ended the fight having thrown and landed more to claim his place in the final four.
"I’ve worked with a lot of big guys in the gym who can bang so I knew he wouldn’t be a problem," said O'Meara.
“I think it will be a good fight against Brett Flournoy but I think I’ll progress.”
Quarter-final 3 – Danny Butler v Brett Flournoy
Brett Flournoy won on points (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
DANNY Butler was the only one of the eight men who had experience of being in Prizefighter as he had reached the semi-finals of the middleweight competition.
The fight exploded into action after a cagey opening with Butler showing why he was a popular fighter as he attacked his opponent.
However, Flournoy was good enough to see off the danger and landed ten shots compared to three from Butler in the opener.
The second round was much quieter as Flournoy was successfully picking his punches better as Butler could only land once in the next three minutes.
Flournoy looked too good and Butler was now going for the knockout but it didn’t come his way as he exited the competition.
“I felt in control but I didn’t box at my best and felt a bit stiff," said Flournoy. "But hopefully I will loosen up a bit and throw more punches, more freely.
“I’ve trained hard to the best of my ability so I will just get in there and do what I do. I think I’ve got the ability to beat everyone of them on my day so let’s see what happens.
Quarter-final 2 – Bradley Pryce v Neil Sinclair
Bradley Pryce won on points – split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
THE second quarter-final featured the two pre-tournament betting favourites as former Commonwealth Champion Bradley Pryce took on ex-British title holder Neil Sinclair.
In a lively opener, Sinclair was wobbled by a big left hook from Pryce, who was from the same gym as Prizefighter Light-Welterweights Champion Gavin Rees.
Sinclair started the second brightly but was caught again by a big shot from Pryce before an accidental head clash left Sinclair with a cut just above his left eye.
It was a frantic contest although not with the host of knockdowns that had been expected. The decision went to the judges’ scorecards and there was some surprise when Dave Parris gave it to Sinclair by 29-28 but Pryce advanced as Richie Davies and Howard Foster judged the fight in his favour.
“I’m in a different league to all of these guys,” said Pryce.
“I came here to box anyone and I believe I would beat them all. I don’t think it should’ve been a split decision but I got the win. I will get stronger as the tournament goes along and I will get better.
“I’ve seen bits of Prince Arron and he’s a tall guy but I believe I can beat all of these guys and I’m definitely going to win the tournament tonight.
Quarter-final 1 – George Hillyard v Prince Arron
Prince Arron won on points (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRINCE Arron was the tallest man in Prizefighter Light-Middleweights and exploited his height advantage fully in his quarter-final with George Hillyard.
Hillyard’s face was peppered with 23 head shots from Arron inside the opening three minutes as Hillyard, who was fighting to raise money for treatment for his partially-blind son, struggled to land.
Hillyard, who hails from Canning Town, was a popular fighter but Arron was in control and at the second round had successfully landed 51 times, all to the head.
Londoner Hillyard needed a knockout in the last round but Arron proved too good, too quick, hard to catch and was a deserved winner.
“It was a win and I’m through to the next round and I will just go from there,” said Arron. Hillyard was made for me but in the first round I was a bit off but in the second and third I picked up the pace.
“I have to work on my defence but I’m looking forward to the next round. (Trainer) Bob (Shannon) thinks I can win the competition and that’s what I’m here to do.”
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