British champ Haskins wants world title fight next
Bristol's Lee Haskins proved why he is the best super-flyweight in Britain with three dominant performances to win the latest edition of Prizefighter last night at the Olympia in Liverpool. 27 year old Haskins (25-2, 11 KOs), an eight year, 27 bout veteran who is the reigning British super flyweight champion, had the good fortune to meet a pair of raw novices in the quarter final and semifinal before dominating former Commonwealth champion Don Broadhurst in the final. The pair had met two years earlier when Haskins had outpointed Broadhurst in a British title defence in 2009, taking Broadhurst's Commonwealth belt in the process. Broadhurst saw his record slip to 13-3 with 3 KO's.
Haskins didn't lose a single round in his three victories, and he takes home the Prizefighter trophy and a check for £32,000.
The final saw Broadhurst surge recklessly into attack, as if seeking revenge for their first fight two years earlier. His tactics bordered on kamikaze, and were easy dealt with by the skills of the unconventional but highly effective southpaw Haskins, who showed why he is currently the eighth best super flyweight contender in the world, according to the WBC's rankings. Haskins floored Broadhurst with a sweet right-hand counter in the second round, and followed up with a second knockdown moments later. Broadhurst never fully recovered from the double knockdown, and Haskins cruised to victory in the third round.
Haskins is a colorful, highly confident character who seems to have based his boxing style on that of the great Prince Naseem Hamed. After his victory, he spoke of of his Prizefighter win and his desire to push on for a world title fight.
"I didn't think I got hit really at all - I got a few headbutts but that's part of boxing. I could have fought all seven of them to be honest. I've beaten Don before and he thought he could beat me this time but I beat him even easier this time. It (Prizefighter) was a great opportunity for me - I'm beating everybody that's put in front of me and taking every belt that's on offer, I don't know what else I can do...I want my title chance." said. ''I definitely deserve a world title (shot). I'm ready for it.''
Earlier Haskins had easily dealt with the woefully inexperienced three bout veteran Terry Broadbent in the quarter-finals, and was just as effective against Ryan Farrag in the semis, who was having only his sixth fight. Farrag had earlier provided the upset of the night by outpointing Craig Lyon, the current English bantamweight champion, the tournament's second favorite and this writers pick to win.
Youtube sensation Usman Ahmed failed to shine in last nights Prizefighter, as he was easily outpointed in the quarter final by Broadhurst, who then scored a razor thin split decision over local lad Mike Robinson to make the final against Haskins.
Dan Hunter is a lifelong boxing aficionado and our Boxing Editor.