Billy Lyell too much for Martinus Clay in Morgantown

Billy Lyell too much for Martinus Clay in Morgantown

By Brian Gorman, Doghouse Boxing (May 8, 2010) Doghouse Boxing

Youngstown's Billy Lyell (22-8, 4 KOs) used a consistent, two-fisted attack to earn an eight round unanimous decision Friday night in Morgantown, WV over North Carolina's Martinus Clay (13-25-4, 5 KOs) in Lyell's first bout since his January middleweight title challenge of Germany's Sebastian Sylvester. Dropping to his natural weight at junior middleweight (154 lb.), Lyell took what the defensive-minded Clay gave him, peppering him with power shots throughout the one-sided contest.

On the undercard, heavyweight Jason Bergman (11-9-2, 8 KOs) of Adah, Pa. might now be known as the "Octavius killer," defeating the second boxer in a row with that name. This Octavius, Smith (4-7, 3 KOs) from Indianapolis, was simply no match for Bergman technically or physically and was flattened in the first round.

Another Indianapolis fighter fared better, as Vance Garvey (8-31-6, 3 KOs) held Morgantown's Matt Berkshire (10-2-2, 5 KOs) to a eight round draw in a wild one, with each taking a count a couple of times. The southpaw Garvey used effective one-twos all night and forced Berkshire to wisely resort to brawling, which he did with some effectiveness. In the third round, he knocked Garvey's mouthpiece out with his best punch, a straight right that knocked Garvey down. The visitor quickly recovered and went back to the game plan, and they traded knockdowns in the final round.

Heavyweight Mel Bankhead of West Virginia (4-1, 1 KO) ruined Ernest Guinn's debut when he trapped him against the ropes and knocked him cold in the first round.

The card can be viewed for $8 on www.NESports.TV.

For much more from Brian, visit: www.steelcityfighters.com/.

NEW: Follow Doghouse Boxing on FaceBook!
For more Boxing News 24/7 and so much more... visit our homepage now!