RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A STEP up to six round bouts is on the cards for impressive Bendigo boxers Brad Morgan and Matt Hall.
The pair, who train under Pat and Gary Connolly at the brothers' California Gully gym, continued their unbeaten streak at last Saturday's night's Battle on the Goldfields II event at Bendigo Stadium.
Morgan won a majority decision over tough Queenslander Dean Thomas, known as the 'Blonde Bomber'.
His record now stands at three wins from three fights.
Middleweight Hall won a unanimous points decision over Tasmanian Johnny Brown, giving him two wins and a draw after three bouts.
Gary Connolly said he was proud with how both the stable's boxers went about their work.
"There was a few things being said in the ring - a bit of banter," he said.
"Matt's was a really rough, tough fight - the Tasmania did everything possible to make life difficult for Matt.
"You have to hand it to him, Matt hit him with some very big punches.
"Matt said he really enjoyed the fight. His opponent was very game and strong."
Brown entered the fight with a 2-1 record.
Morgan, whose first two wins came via knockout, did not have things all his own way against Thomas, but was clearly the superior fighter.
Two judges had him ahead by four points after the four round bout, while the other scored it a draw.
Connolly credited promoter Lynden Hosking for finding a resilient opponent for Morgan.
"(Lynden) wanted someone who wasn't going to get knocked down early and he had to search far and wide for Thomas," he said.
"He actually had to find a guy from a higher weight division and from what I know about him he's been a five-time Australian league champion and has had over 80 amateur fights.
"He could box well, but Brad just fought a great fight - he kept coming.
"He was full of aggression and very entertaining and is certainly winning people over."
Connolly said the early plan was for Morgan and Hall to continue their training, but take a short break from in-ring duties ahead of stepping up from four to six-round bouts.
"In another round I'm confident both those boys would have stopped their opponents," he said.
"So, it's probably time to step them up to a little longer fight.
"Exactly when that will be we'll just have to work out."
Meanwhile, Connolly said he was ultra-impressed by the performances of the two visiting Thai female boxers, despite both being handed losses.
(Brad Morgan) was full of aggression and very entertaining and is certainly winning people over.
- Gary Connolly
Saranyaphong Theinthong lost a tough four rounder to debuting American Marina Ramirez, while Atitaya Saisin, a 20-year-old with more than 60 Muay Thai fights to her credit, lost her boxing debut to emerging Australian talent Chemeka Johnson.
"They were to fighters I was most proud of because they signified what really digging deep is about and hanging in their with people with greater boxing experience,” he said.
"Everybody I’ve spoken to really enjoyed their fights. They represented themselves and their promoter Narongwas Buamas well.
"He was very impressed by them and he's decided to sign them to his boxing stable, which is one of the biggest in Asia."
“It was a great show and Lynden went out of his way to make it a great experience for all the visiting boxers and not just in the ring.”
Connolly believed flyweight Ramirez, who hails from Las Vegas, had delivered an outstanding debut.