Shane 'Mr Block' McPhilbin had guaranteed he'd knock Rhys Davies' block off with his locally-famed BBGs (Bulwell Big Guns) in the lead-up to their East vs West Midlands ten-rounder for the vacant Midland Area cruiserweight title on Saturday (June 25).
And the slimmed-down Nottingham puncher proved his word is his bond by decking and halting the unbeaten Coventry stylist, on a Les Allen-promoted show at a packed Bedworth Civic Hall, to register a shock third-round stoppage.
Ex-international amateur Davies, whose twin brother - flashy super-middleweight stylist Llewy - won a shut-out six-round win on the undercard, had built a promising-looking 5-0-1 paid tab (one early win) and was, to those in the trade, a slight pre-fight favourite to procure the first belt of his three-year professional career.
But iron-jawed Shane, 25, who competed at heavyweight in his opening seven pro contests (including a semi-final appearance against Michael Sprott in Prizefighter), was himself a top-rated amateur who reached an ABA semi and extended hammer-fisted Tyson Fury - challenging for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight crowns later next month - in the vest.
On top of durability, he's willing, capable and carries a sizeable dig in his 10oz gloves. And the Bulwell-based banger took the fight to a taller, well-conditioned opponent from the off.
Though the opening six minutes proved a scrappy affair with little in the way of clean, crisp punching, it was probably the local man who edged the sessions with the neater (if only by a little) work.
Yet McPhilbin, after a ticking off from trainer Carl Greaves between the second and third stanzas, came out for the next three minutes with added spice in his shots. The round was barely a minute old when a heavy-looking right forced Davies on his heels - and hunter-like Shane's two-handed follow-up sent the 27-year-old Oliver Harrison-trained stylist crashing down to earth with a bang.
Referee John Keane saw the self-styled 'Chocolate Warrior' jump straight up, albeit too quickly and noticeably unsteadily on his feet, and called halt to the action with 90 seconds gone of the third. Despite Davies' protestations, it was the right call and cued wild celebrations from the East Midlands camp and the new Midland champion, now 6-2 (4) and tipping the scales at a career-lowest 14st 3lbs.
Trainer Greaves, a former British title challenger and Midland Area boss, hinted at his charge's future. The Newark trainer/promoter said: "Shane could make the first defence of his title in September or October - and i'm looking at venues in Nottingham for that.
"It's too soon to be talking about fighting [British champion Rob] Norton but the English title [held by former European champion Terry Dunstan] could be an option before the end of 2011," he added.
Photos by Colin Messer.
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