Elcock's revenge in five  
by Tom Podmore
May 7th 2006  









Former WBU champion Wayne Elcock, reversed one of his two defeats last night, as he took apart and floored
Lawrence Murphy three-times, in five absorbing rounds, at the plush surroundings of the ICC in Birmingham. The
fight (a British title eliminator) was scheduled for ten three-minute rounds.

There was an obvious dislike for one another as was shown at the weigh-in, when neither fighter made an
attempt to communicate. Murphy (11st 6lbs) entered the ring first, wearing all white trunks. Scotsman Murphy
was booed un-mercilessly whilst entering the ring and once he arrived in the squared circle. The Scot was
accompanied to the ring by two Union flag waiving beauties. He looked confident and shook his arms on the way
to the ring. A further indication of the Glasgow fighter's confidence was shown when he took the centre of the
ring waiting for his Brummie rival to enter.

Elcock (11st 4lbs 6oz) wearing blue trunks with a white waistband (paying homage to his team Birmingham City)
came out to the fanfare you would expect for a fighter, fighting in his hometown. Also accompanied by several
Union flag waiving women, Elcock had the steely look of determination is his eyes as he made the short walk to
the ring. Both fighters made a point of fixing a menacing glare to one another when they were both in the ring;
Elcock walked straight up to Murphy (who had stood his ground in the centre) never taking his eyes off him once.
Referee Phil Edwards parted the two fighters.

Both fighters came out quickly to start the first round, the first punch thrown was a left-jab from Murphy who did
his best to make Wayne take a step back. Wayne replied in this round with powerful jab's which landed cleanly 9
times out of ten on the nose of the Scotsman. The two former WBU champions continued to feel each other out
during this round, with no sustained attacks from either fighter. Murphy tried to land a two-punch combination: of
a right to the temple and left to the chin, which failed the first time, but landed with about a minute to go in the
round which made the Brummie Blink. Elcock ended the first with some lusty body blows, which made Murphy
hold.

Coming out for the second, Murphy once again initiated the action, with an attempt with the jab, which Elcock
could see and countered with a left-hook, momentarily stunning Murphy. Chants of “Elcock” and “Shard End” lit
up the auditorium as Elcock started to boss the fight. A wonderful snapping right uppercut had Murphy in
distress, which would only be the start of the woe in this round for Murphy. The Shard-End man really fancied it
in this round, turning his hand over on the jab for greater force. With two-minutes gone in the round Murphy was
hurt badly for the first time, Murphy attacked Elcock, but was caught flush by a counter left-hook, which dipped
Murphy's legs to such an extent, that it almost looked he was sitting on the floor. Elcock was throwing the
proverbial “kitchen sink” at the Scot thereafter, but to his credit Murphy covered up well and rode the storm.

Into round three, Elcock jumped on his opponent from the first bell landing a whole variety of shots. Murphy
blinked when Wayne landed a straight right jab- a punch in which Elcock would have the greatest of success with
throughout the contest-. It was looking bad for Murphy, as he tried to initiate clinches Elcock was know showing
he was the stronger fighter, wrestling Murphy down twice. A huge right-hand to the temple floored Murphy for an
eight-count. To his credit Murphy covered up thereafter and rode the storm.

To start the fourth Elcock brought a new punch into play- an arching left hand- which landed with great force. It
was plain to see that Murphy was wilting, and tried to hold when he could. Murphy walked forward, game as ever,
but was being picked off by a double jab, which rocked the Scotsman. Murphy wasn't throwing many punches
and the punches he did throw weren't finding the target. Both fighters (who were in excellent shape) traded on
the ropes towards the end of the round.

Entering the final round, Elcock's corner had advised him to throw more straight shots, advise he took heed of.
The first meaningful punch of the round rocked Murphy, the overhand counter just couldn't miss for Elcock and
he lured him into range and landed a terrific right hand body shot, which caught Murphy under the ribs- dropping
him on all fours for a count of 8. The referee Mr. Edwards looked concerned for Murphy, asking him what his
name was. Murphy couldn't keep the Midlander off him and a right to the chin dropped Murphy for the third time
in the fight. Murphy beat the count, but referee Edwards, who had seen enough, waived off the fight with 2:15 of
the round gone. Murphy had been thoroughly beaten and the referee stopped it perfectly.

All in all an accomplished performance from Elcock, who was hell-bent on revenge. Murphy didn't fight too badly;
it was just Elcock fought with “I will not be denied attitude”.

After the fight Elcock took the mike and spoke to his faithful crowd, who had cheered him so ferociously
throughout. “Birmingham, thanks for coming out, I'll see you again in September”.

Elcock is now the mandatory challenger for the British title. He will face the winner of Dann-Williams, which takes
place on June 7th. The shows promoter Ken Purchase (who had his hair like Don King's!), is confident he can
bring that fight to Birmingham, that would be a boost for Elcock should that come-off.