Buglioni Vs Couzens – York Hall, July 16th 2014.

In Buglioni’s comeback fight he was to be up against former southern area champion; Sam Couzens. A seasoned and hardened pro. Couzens strengths were his durability, grit, determination and aggressive but somewhat unorthodox come forward style. The bout was to be for the vacant Southern Area title, headlining Frank Warrens show at the iconic York Hall. July 16th 2014.

Buglioni’s mental attitude had changed considerably since suffering his first loss to the world level Khomitsky. He had developed the much needed spite along with that tunnel vision to his trade considered vital when getting to the top of any sport, none more so than boxing. Always dedicated, it was well documented that Buglioni had stepped his commitment up a notch, from dedicated to almost a monk-like existence during training camp. The rumours of this increased determination were confirmed at the weigh-in when Buglioni presented himself in the shape of his life with an increase in muscle definition and lower body fat.

During his interview at the weigh-in Buglioni seemed cold and intent on doing damage to his opponent, predicting a KO victory inside 2 rounds. Sam Couzens it seemed, took umbrage to the aforementioned claim and showed the grit he was famous for, but there was only so much he could take.

In the opening round, Buglioni came out landing stiff, hard jabs to the head of Couzens who tried in vain to block the intrusive lefts. Couzens fired back with some jabs of his own, only to be deflected by a Buglioni parry and counter 1,2 combination. Buglioni piled on the pressure, stalking his man around the ring, an exciting trade off between the fighters took place in the Couzens corner with Buglioni slipping and rolling and coming back with left hook, right hands. Buglioni spinning off the ropes pushed Couzens back once more. A slicing right uppercut to the body took Couzens by surprise and Buglioni closed in, a left hook to body and head sent Couzens to the deck. Up at 8 Couzens looked hurt, Buglioni closed in for the kill but before he could land the killer blow, the belt ended for round 1.

Round 2 and 3 saw much of the same, Buglioni throwing combinations and stalking his opponent around the ring, landing with some crunching body shots and well timed uppercuts. Couzens nose began to pour blood and the swelling and bruising around both eyes was becoming evident. The fight was oozing from Couzens, his power and sharpness was fading fast. However Couzens showed elements of success landing the right hand to Buglioni’s temple on two occasions and a toughness that any fighter would be proud to have.

The 4th round, Buglioni started the round slightly slower than the opening 3 and opted to jab and move more. Perhaps a rest bite before mounting a final charge to finish the business. Couzens sensing the pace slow decided to mount an attack, walking onto a well timed right hand counter of Buglioni. Buglioni with his back to the ropes, felt the shot land and followed up with a vicious combination, landing a long left hook to the chin of Couzens, who reeled back into the ropes on the adjacent side. Buglioni followed him and let the shots fly, firing with both hands, hooks, uppercuts and straights to the head of Couzens. Me Bob Williams the referee had no option but to rescue Couzens and call the contest to a halt.

The wise guy was back on track, picking up his 10th Knockout & 13th win along with the Super Middleweight Southern Area Title. #TeamBuglioni who had been vocal throughout erupted in celebration! Special mention & thanks to West 1 Construction, Pride Scaffolding, BetVictor, SpeedFlex, Danieli, Herts Heritage & Tryfan Technologies for their generous and loyal support.

April 12th 2014 was a night that will live long in the memory of all members of Team Buglioni. Granted it was the night that Frank Buglioni lost his first professional fight to a world level and hugely experienced opponent in Sergey Khomitsky, a blow that would be hard to take for any professional fighter. But more importantly it was a night when the hugely loyal fan base that follow Frank at all of his fights had to ask themselves – what happens now?

It is inevitable that when someone who has burst into the professional arena in the way that Frank has comes up against a set back, people will be quick to stick the boot in, criticise preparation techniques or doubt whether or not this individual has what it takes to get to the top of the profession that they dedicate their lives to. The purpose of this piece is not to try and convert people’s opinions, everyone is entitled to their own, but perhaps more to offer an insight into the man that is Frank Buglioni and why I and many of his loyal fans know what’s in store!

To understand what makes Frank tick you have to go back to the beginning. Not to the GB boxing team, or even to his days with the formidable Repton Boys Amateur Boxing Club but to Waltham Forrest Gym at the age of 9 or 10 where it really began. Before boxing Frank and I played football for the same team and I think Frank would be the first one to admit that he was just never really that into it, football just didn’t push his buttons. Like most youngsters in our area you played football because your mates did and most of us enjoyed it so much that we continued to play for years to come. Frank just never really seemed that keen, in fact I think it would be fair to say that he played the last season just to keep me happy! So when he invited me along to Waltham Forrest on a freezing cold Tuesday night on the pretence of trying out a different type of training, I humoured him and tagged along.

From the second we stepped into that gym something changed in Frank. You could see that naturally he was at home. For me, the intensity of the training, the bullish nature of the ‘coaching’ just wasn’t my thing but for him the phrase ‘duck to water’ would be the understatement of the century! People that don’t know Frank outside of boxing may be surprised to learn that he is actually quite a placid individual and this has been a feature of his character for as long as I can remember, so despite his obvious natural ability for boxing, I didn’t expect it to be a permanent fixture in his life. I assumed that this would be a one time thing, how wrong could I be. Within a matter of weeks he had given up with football and had immersed himself in boxing.

He was training a couple of times a week at Waltham Forrest and before you could say ‘Joe Calzaghe’ the garage had been turned into a boxing gym and the nights of catching up after school invariably involved wearing head guards and hitting each other, Frank with far more conviction and power than myself it has to be said. But this was more than a hobby for Frank. He was running 3 or 4 times a week before school, training at Waltham Forrest, having boxing trainers come to him to perfect elements of his craft that he felt needed working on and this was all at the age of 12!

It was a different level of dedication at a very young age, more than anything I had witnessed before. I knew lads that we’re playing football at professional academies at the time but the determination to be the best that I saw in Frank during those years was something that I have never seen matched.

Fast forward through the next few years and with every progression that Frank made, the intensity was turned up. Through our latter teenage years you knew better than to invite Frank down the pub on a Friday night, you knew where he’d be and exactly what he’d be doing. Most people will look at a professional boxers lifestyle and think that it’s a glamorous affair, I would challenge those people to get up at 5am, day in day out, in the rain and sometimes snow and go for a 5 mile run before training (I know I still don’t really understand that one, but Frank insists that it’s necessary).

The driving force behind Frank’s rise into the professional boxing game has never been fame, glamour or money. It’s an unrelenting desire to be the best at what he does and to prove that at every level he can take people on and beat them. As an amateur he had a reputation for stopping people, but even after a convincing win he would not be out on the lash (as I would have much preferred) he’d be back home watching the video of the fight, meticulously analysing every detail in order to improve in any way he could for the next one.

When you have watched somebody close to you progress, mature and ultimately achieve what Frank has done it is difficult not to admire them. But what most people wont know about Frank is the journey that he has been through to get to the point he is at today, this is what I have tried to share in a very short trip down memory lane, but the point is this. When you are naturally gifted at something you will always do well in that arena, but when you couple that ability with grit, determination and the willingness to do what the other man will not, that is when you become the best and that is what I saw begin to develop in Frank the first time he walked into that boxing gym!

So when I stood in the Copper Box and watched Frank’s 1st professional defeat and looked around me at the dejected army of loyal followers who looked confused as well as saddened by the defeat I couldn’t help but stifle a grin. I knew what would be going on in his mind when the adrenalin had worn off and the stadium had emptied because I have seen the making of the man!

So, what happens next? I’m pretty certain that I know what happens next and I’m sure as hell glad that I won’t be the one on the receiving end of it!

Courtesy of Mr Daniel Baker – Friend

For Frank Buglioni’s 13^th fight he was up against the relatively unknown veteran of the game Sergey Khomitsky. A quick check on Boxrec would indicate a solid fighter with a decent record who had only been beaten by the best. However a closer look would show just how tough and experienced Khomitsky was; he retired Jamie Moore, came close to beating Martin Murray twice and in his latest outing, was outpunching and outpointing former world champion Robert Steiglitz before a controversial 10^th round stoppage.

Buglioni went into the fight confident of out boxing Khomitsky and then outwork him in the later stages of the contest. But Khomitsky had other ideas.

Buglioni started the opening round well, dominating behind a stiff jab whilst moving on the back foot, Khomitsky unable to close the range is picked off. On the occasions Khomitsky came in close, Buglioni blocked and countered well on the inside before pushing Khomitsky back on the end of the jab. Good start for Buglioni.

The second round saw much of the same, Buglioni controlling the pace behind his long sharp jab and firing good counter punches when Khomitsky opted to work on the inside. Buglioni finishes with 2 good combinations and lands a solid right hook to take the round.

In the third round, Khomitsky lands with a solid left hook to Buglioni’s chin and then follows up with a right hand over the top. Khomitsky continues to pressure Buglioni who returns fire with fire, throwing his own combinations, but they do not land as cleanly as the Belarussian’s own. They finish with a trade off. A Khomitsky round.

Into the fourth, Buglioni and Khomitsky both assert themselves, equally landing chopping right hands, Buglioni’s right has a telling effect on Khomitsky who looks to hold and tie his man up. The experienced veteran utilises his seasoned skills to minimise the youngsters onslaught. The superior footwork and work rate sees the youngster take another round.

The fifth round sees Khomitsky land successive right hands and push the pressure on Buglioni, who’s defence had become loose. Sensing he is behind in the round, Buglioni mounts an attack in the closing stages of the round, too little too late however and the Belarussian bruiser takes another round on the scorecards.

Sixth round spells disaster for Buglioni, into the opening minute Khomitsky lands with a peach of a left hook to Buglioni’s chin, seeing his man stunned, he jumps over Buglioni and puts together a combination of hurtful shots. Buglioni does well to take them and maintain a clinch with his back to the ropes. His inexperienced show and clearly still hurt Buglioni tried to mount a counter strike, however he was caught with another left hook and saved by the ropes, subsequently receiving commanding a count by the referee.

Bravely willing to continue, Buglioni tells his corner he is ready for battle, but showing experience and care for his young fighter, Mark Tibbs wisely calls the contest to a halt, retiring his fighter and allowing him to walk back to the changing room and live to fight another day. Sergey Khomitsky causes the upset and takes home the WBO Super Middleweight European Title, securing himself a top 5 world ranking.

Attack is the best form of defence… A preview of April 12th by Matthew Collett.

Some say that winning a title is only half the battle, that a fighters true mental is measured when called upon to defend their honours; if this is the case, then we are definitely about to find out exactly what Buglioni is made of. With one comprehensive defence already signed off in true Wise Guy style the next defence against Sergey Khomitsky is a huge step up from the gutsy Nespro.

The Belarusian travels not to become another statistic on Buglioni’s impressive record sheet, but with every intention of disrupting this young talents career. A steadfast fighter who has seriously tested the likes of Murray, Golovkin, Ryan Rhodes and stopped Jamie Moore during this career, make no mistake in thinking that this is an opponent with any other priority than to win, and win well…

…the only problem we can see with that, is that he happens to be fighting one of boxings most promising young punchers. At 24, Buglioni demonstrates ring craft well beyond his years, educated attacks and precise counters have become somewhat of a signature style of the Londoner. In his earlier fights, it would be fair to say that he was too keen to impress, looking for that one elusive knockout punch – not to say he wasn’t finding it of course, as his record shows – but now Buglioni boxes with the patience of an older fighter, utilising a vast array of combinations from behind an impressive jab. Gratitude to his trainer and mentor Mark Tibbs.

Quite literally, attack will certainly be Buglioni’s best form of defence, as although his head movement, distancing and overall ability to not get hit is ultimately improving; his true and natural strength lies in combining his devastating punch power and fast hands, and it is this power and speed that – given the high calibre of his opponent – will most likely lead to what could be one of the most explosive fights of his career to date. Of course, all of the above is compounded by the added gravitas that comes with headlining a world class bill in an internationally renowned arena; a nod from a very pleased promoter and an early sign of things to come.

Buglioni has compiled some impressive names with his sparring partners leading up to this fight, including hard hitting Light Heavyweight/Cruiserweight Ovil Mckenzie who in a twist of fate will now feature on the same night as Buglioni against Tony Conquest. Buglioni was also rumoured to of worked closely with tough and super fit Middleweight Nick Blackwell. No stone un-turned the catchphrase of Mark Tibbs certainly reflects upon the dedicated and gruelling training regime put in place this time round.

The Wise Guy’s last time out was, without a doubt, his most complete performance to date and thus his critics will be expecting big things from the explosive Buglioni and with all that’s been said, you can’t help but feel that the stage has been set for a truly world class performance – a performance that those who have followed Buglioni’s career to date will know that he is more than capable of.

Watch this space.

Everything is cyclical: we’re born, we procreate, we die. A plant sheds its seeds, the seeds germinate and mature, the plant sheds its own seeds. Everything is cyclical but never more so than in championship boxing.

A championship boxer enters the ring at a young age. He has a distinguished amateur career. He turns pro and wins domestic honours. He’s fed a faded former champion or two for experience and a notch on his ring record. He wins world honours. He defends his title. He loses his title. He’s fodder for the next champion and becomes a notch on their ring record. And so the world turns. Everything is cyclical.

In the days before iPods and tablets and Twitter I was part of the cycle when I met my first boxer. Well, in actual fact it was my third boxer but I’m not counting Alan Minter and Chris Sanigar because in my role as wine waiter I was there to serve them not write about them. In the days when mobile phones were a luxury that only the very rich or very crooked could afford I met my first boxer. His name was Michael Watson.

I met him in a gym in London’s Carnaby Street. It’s gone now. The gym was run by renowned cornerman Dennie Mancini: gruff, of Italian stock, a heart of pure gold. He’s dead now. Occasionally, boxing figures such as Mickey Duff and Terry Lawless would call in to inspect their wares. They’re dead, too.

In those days Michael Watson was on the rise. He’d won all but one of his fights, including a victory over the highly rated American ‘Dangerous’ Don Lee. Michael and the people around him were all aware that he could be The One. I watched him train and he watched me watch him. Afterwards we talked and got on well. We were both about the same age. We struck up a friendship.

Standing beside him at all times was a taxi-driver named Eric Seccombe. Like Michael and myself, Eric lived in Islington. Eric had known Michael since he was a boy and was employed as his trainer. His affection for the younger man was palpable. It was so omnipresent that you could have reached out and scooped up a handful of it. When you spoke to his Michael you always felt it was an intrusion. At all times in Eric’s eyes was a look of pure affection, of love, if you will.

In the years to follow I was to see that expression many times. In the eyes of Emmanuel Steward as he talked to me about Thomas Hearns. In Angelo Dundee’s when he spoke of Ali. In Brendan Ingle’s eyes when he mentioned his beloved Bomber. I could go on.

Leap forward a quarter of a century and I see that look of love once more. It’s not directed at me. Naturally it’s not. It’s directed at a young boxer named Frank Buglioni and it’s coming from his trainer Mark Tibbs. (son of – are we allowed to say legendary – Jimmy Tibbs?).

And this is because boxing is all about love. Love and hate and war. The love of one man for another that allows him to reach over and gently caress his fighter’s face; to wipe the grease from the other man’s eyes with a tenderness only matched by a lover or a parent. The hatred and despair that one man feels for another when a paltry half-an-hour or so is the dividing line between success or failure. And war: the shared experience of battle and blood that both unites and separates.

Boxing is cyclical and no-one can escape the cycle. I’ve entered the Twilight Zone. I’m like one of the Pevensie kids returning to Narnia. Twenty-five years later and I’m standing in a gym in Canning Town to meet Frank Buglioni (pronounced without the ‘g’, I keep telling myself) and to spend a little time with a boxer for the first time since the late nineties when I watched the aforementioned Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham prepare for a fight with the American Vinnie Pazienza.

It’s a big, big deal for me. Many years ago I was the editor of a paper thin newspaper entitled Boxing Weekly. Boxing was my life back then. When I wasn’t writing about it or watching it I was out socialising with some of the many friends that I made in the sport. Chief among these was Michael Watson. As you will know Michael was almost fatally injured during a world title fight with Chris Eubank. It was because of this that I questioned my fascination with boxing and came to the conclusion that I couldn’t write about boxing without being complicit in its repercussions. Check out ‘Dylan’s ‘Who Killed Davy Moore,’ for a far clearer picture than I could ever paint. So I wrote a book about why I was not going to write about boxing anymore. And then I stopped writing about boxing. Until now. And I’m not sure why.

I walk through the gym and recognise Frank Buglioni. He is sweating it out on an exercise bike. We shake hands and I’m immediately struck by this young man’s easy going nature, and his quiet confidence. We chat for a while and I tell him my story. About how he’s the first boxer I’ve interviewed for a lifetime; about how I was unsure what to talk about. About how I’ve decided that the best thing to do is simply talk about boxing: talk about boxers and fights that we like. And that’s what we agree to do.

But first there is work to do. For both of us. I have my camera and I walk around the gym taking snaps of the fighters. A small part of me expects to be recognised but nobody does. Not even Mark Tibbs, son of Jimmy and almost a father to Frank. I tell him I remember seeing him fight at the York Hall as a young man. I watch as his protégé spars a couple of rounds, first with impressively muscled Light-Heavyweight Ovil Mckenzie and then with a boxer named Eddie McDonagh. Buglioni’s work is serious and scrupulous. Just as with Michael Watson all those years ago, there is an air of expectation. Buglioni and his team mean business: they are in no doubt that barring unexpected roadblocks their boxer is going to the very top of the hill. And there is that look. Always there is that look.

Frank Buglioni with no G finishes his morning’s work and heads for the shower. I sit and drink coffee and inhale the community atmosphere of the gym. Twenty minutes later he’s sitting across from me and I begin at the beginning because there is nowhere else I can start: How did he get into boxing?

“| wasn’t a natural athlete. When I was about 12 a friend of my dad’s son had just done a little boxing and asked if I wanted to try it. I jumped at the chance, gave it a go. I remember the coach saying I could whack and I was fit. I improved very quickly.

“I started training with Mark Tibbs. I went down to spar with Billy Jo Saunders who was with Mark and Jimmy Tibbs. I think we did eights rounds straight off and I think Mark saw something in me, decided to take me on the pads. I think we clicked straight away. I like the fact that Mark went in my corner and gave me advice, gloved me up and I thought ‘that’s a good man’. Straight away I had trust and respect for him. He taught me certain things and they worked. And I thought if I’m gonna turn pro its gonna be with Mark.”

At close quarters Buglioni looks nothing like a boxer. Some people are already likening him to a boxing version of David Beckham. He’s already done a little modelling. How does he feel about people hitting that as yet unmarked face of his and how will he take it when somebody beats him?

“I had my first amateur fight at 15. I won it. It was a good old tear up. I got hit loads to times. Do you know what? It didn’t bother me. Didn’t bother me at all.
“I won my second fight. My first defeat came in my third fight. It was in the junior ABAs I fought a guy there with 30+ fights. I put up a good fight. He beat me on a majority. it was a close close one. I was gutted but I was hungry to get and rectify it..
“I’ve been rocked a couple of times but never hurt. I think body shots hurt more than a head shot. I’m confident in my heart and my chin and my ability to dig deep when it matters.

“I’m more competitive with certain people. Like my brother, when we play a bit of table tennis we’re really competitive against each other. We’re very evenly matched. But I’m only really competitive with boxing. I don’t like losing the sprints in training I like to try my hardest. But I listen to Mark. If he comes and says ‘Listen I want you to block and move and don’t worry winning the sparring,’ then I’ll do it.”

He’s good company, is Frank Buglioni. If I was going to meet my first boxer for seventeen-odd years I couldn’t have picked a nicer bloke. I tell him how much I envy him. How I envy the fact that he has a goal in life and that everything he does is geared towards achieving that goal. And I think about the cycle. I ask him if he ever wonders what will happen should that goal be reached.

“Not really. I’m enjoying the present so much that I don’t really look too far into the future. I take it week by week. I’ve got good people around me. I’ve got trust in them. World champion is the goal. If I didn’t think I could be a world champion I wouldn’t be doing boxing. It’s too hard a sport.”

It’s a short interview but worthwhile. We shake hands and I wish him the best. Frank mentions that Eric Seccombe sometimes pops into the gym and offers advice. And the connection between Michael Watson and myself and Frank Buglioni is established.

And already I’m worried for him in the way that I used to worry for Michael Watson. Because every time you meet a boxer you can’t help but worry about them. Well I can’t anyway. As Frank exits, Mark Tibbs enters and takes a seat at the table. We chat for a while and I remind him that back in the dusty recesses of history we did meet a couple of times. He talks about Frank of course and again that look creeps into his eyes. I can see that he worries about Frank too.

“I’ve always been a De La Hoya fan and he got dragged into the trenches in that fight and that’s why I love it. He turned it around. The left hook that started the finish of the fight was phenomenal. I think De La Hoya thought that he would outbox and outscore Vargas but Vargas wasn’t just a brawler. He was a very good technical fighter. Vargas had the ability to dig deep and one shot can change a fight.”

Lesson to be learned: Don’t underestimate your opponent

4. Bernard Hopkins-Felix Trinidad

3. Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield I

2. Arturo Gatti-Mickey Ward I

Diego Corrales-Joe Luis Castillo I

 

When London met Italy…

Much was made of the Italian connection between the two fighters before the fight; Frank’s heritage is from Naples, as is Nespros’, and the Italian brought with him an impressive record having shared the ring with the some of the worlds best middleweights including IBF champion; Sebastien Sylvester. At 34 and with 31 fights to his name, you could count on Nespro to be a tough, durable and altogether awkward opponent – easily the Londoners biggest challenge to date.

Come fight night the atmosphere was certainly more ‘Pamplona Bull Run’ than ‘London Marathon’ – it was Buglioni’s first defence of his WBO Title and although this would surely be a tough fight, the fans anticipated Frank to pick up where he left off and make it six stoppages from the last 7 fights. As ever, Team Buglioni was out in full force and the chants for Buglioni started long before the iconic and foreboding thud of seven nation army had even begun to echo around the Copperbox – a venue that is fast becoming Frank’s very own colosseum. Erupting in to voice, the crowd carried Frank in to a heroes welcome and the scene was set….

Round one went to London, the Buglioni jab was stiff and punishing, the right hand finding its target more often than not. Frank closed out the first round with a hard and precise right hand right on the bell which Nespro took well, but you could tell he was feeling the power of Buglioni as he found his way back to the corner.

The second and third went much the same, with Buglioni dominating the centre of the ring, displaying some of the most mature and measured boxing to date. Slipping shots that previously he would have taken and looking to counter punch with great effect.

Come round four and Buglioni moved through the gears, hurting Nespro and taking the fight to him. After knocking Nespro down with a volley of right hands, Buglioni rushed to seal victory – only to get caught himself with a desperate left hook from Nespro.

Round five and service resumed as normal, more pressure, more precise combinations of educated shots which were starting to create openings and opportunities for the patient Buglioni. Nearing the end of the fifth Nespro tried to skip away from the ropes and was caught with a devastating left hook, sending him crashing to the canvas in his corner.

Bravely beating the count Nespro returned to the fray, only to be put back down by a combination of body and head shots. At this point Mr Mikael Hook; the referee called time on the Italians forage into foreign territory and awarded Frank the TKO and retention of his WBO Belt. The night continued as family and friends reunited with Frank at ‘The Cow’ Pub in Westfield, a few notable faces amongst the Team Buglioni regular…

Report Courtesy of Mr Matthew Collett. Twitter @MattCollett Photos Courtesy of Mr Kevin Quigley.

 

For Buglioni’s 11th fight it would be a stern test against a fighter with a 12 & 1 record, his single defeat a close split decision whilst battling for an international title. It would prove to be a tough test but a much needed learning fight to continue Buglioni’s progress and dominance through the 168lb ranks.

Buglioni & Horvath start tentatively, feeling each other out with jabs, double jabs and the occasional jumping left hook from Horvath. Comfortably controlling the pace from the centre of the ring Buglioni and Mark Tibbs will be happy with that start.

Continuing to control the centre of the ring, Buglioni makes Horvath work in spurts and uses much improved head movement and quick blocks to deflect and slip Horvath’s punches. In return Buglioni flicks out sharp jabs to rock back the head of Horvath.

As the rounds continue Buglioni begins to pick up the pace, by the 5th round blood is flowing from the nose of Horvath, the crisp jabs beginning to cause damage. Horvath being forced to step up the pace pushes him to throw some combinations which Buglioni evades with head movement.

Moving into the 6th round Horvath has elements of success by countering a few of Buglioni’s slow single jabs with short, sharp right hand left hook combinations. The closest round of the fight, but a good finish with some solid left right shot selection secures another for Buglioni.

Another steady 7th round with both fighters having flashes of success, Buglioni seems content keeping Horvath at the end of the jab, evading Horvath’s bursts and coming back with the occasional eye catching flurry. A speedy combination just before the bell, looks to have an effect on Horvath.

The bell for the 8th round rings and so starts the most memorable of the fight. With a strong finish at the end of last round, Buglioni begins with more intensity, double jabbing and stepping in with right hands. Forcing Horvath to circle round the ropes Buglioni lands with a 1,2 combination upstairs and a slicing left hook to the body as his opponent tries to move away. Horvath falls to the canvas wincing in pain. Up at the count of 8, Buglioni senses his man in trouble and lands another crunching left hook to the body, sealing victory and thus winning the WBO European Super Middleweight title with an 8th round KO.

The 600 strong Buglioni army are out in full force vocalising their delight to the tune of Seven nation army; Buglioni’s entrance music. A good night all round at the Copper Box…

Report Courtesy of Mr Nicholas Day, Photos courtesy of Mr Kevin Quigley

Buglioni’s first fight at the Copper Box Arena, his first scheduled 10 rounds. Off the back of a solid point’s victory last time out, Buglioni had stated he was going to be more patient and learn from mistakes he had made against Psonko, the opponent who had taken him the furthest distance in his pro career to date. What we saw this time out was a calculated, clinical and vicious performance from Frank.

Facing the experienced Brunislav Kubin, with a respectable record including 16 wins and 9 ko’s to his name, Buglioni was expected as usual to win the contest but to get some rounds under his belt as he moves up to championship level.

However Buglioni had other ideas, from the opening bell he stalked his man with ferocious intent, cutting off the ring well but maintaining his distance with superior footwork and a spiteful jab, content to control the opener with his left lead, Buglioni sought to find a couple of sharp left hook counters as Kubin lunged to land his shots. A clear first round for Buglioni, who looked much improved from his previous performance.

The second round saw much of the same, Kubin unable to close the distance and becoming irritated and desperate with Buglioni throwing solid straights from the outside and setting himself for nice right hand left hook combinations.

Buglioni lands with a powerful straight right to the temple of Kubin that seems to send shockwaves through the Czech’s body. Kubin remains on his feet and circles the outside of the ring, once more however Kubin lunges with a jab. Buglioni takes full advantage of Kubin’s mistake and times a crisp right hand over the top of his lazy left lead. Kubin crashes to the canvas and fails to beat the count, handing Buglioni another dominating Victory and TKO in the second round.