The Queensberry “Homestretch” card on September 26 at Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE had a little bit of everything: championship action, dramatic stoppages, competitive decisions and an emotional farewell.
Headlined by Liam Davies vs. Nathaniel Collins for the European featherweight championship, the Birmingham card produced several memorable performances, with Davies ultimately delivering the night’s headline performance.
Liam Davies Stops Nathaniel Collins After Seven Rounds
The main event lived up to its billing as a significant European featherweight showdown.
Davies immediately established control, dropping Collins in the opening round with a sharp one-two. Collins recovered and showed plenty of toughness, but Davies’ accuracy and ability to control distance gradually took over the fight.
Collins continued trying to make the fight competitive, landing occasional right hands and counters, but Davies repeatedly found his target with straight punches from range.
A cut around Collins’ right eye became an additional concern. The ringside doctor examined the injury during the fifth round and allowed the challenger to continue.
After seven rounds, however, Collins’ corner made the difficult decision to stop the fight.
Davies won by corner retirement after Round 7, successfully defending his European featherweight title and improving to 19-1.
It was a particularly impressive performance from Davies, who looked composed, accurate and confident throughout.
Luke McCormack Wins British Title
The vacant British super-lightweight championship was also on the line when Luke McCormack faced Kay Prospere.
McCormack continued his unbeaten professional run with a dramatic 10th-round knockout at 1:28.
The victory moved McCormack to 6-0, adding a major domestic championship to his growing résumé.
The late stoppage provided one of the card’s biggest moments outside the main event.
Bradley Goldsmith Stops Amir Abubaker
Bradley Goldsmith successfully defended his IBF International middleweight title against Amir Abubaker.
Goldsmith dropped Abubaker in the fourth round before completely taking control in the seventh.
The champion scored three additional knockdowns in the seventh round, forcing the stoppage at 2:42.
Goldsmith improved to 17-1 with 11 stoppage victories, making it another significant step forward for the middleweight.
Nathan Heaney’s Farewell Ends in Defeat
One of the night’s most emotional storylines came when former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney stepped into the ring for what was announced as his final professional fight.
Heaney faced Gerome Warburton, and Warburton once again came away with the victory.
It was Warburton’s second win over Heaney, bringing an end to a professional career that included a British middleweight championship and plenty of memorable domestic fights.
While the result wasn’t what Heaney wanted, the occasion provided an appropriate farewell to a fighter who had become a popular figure on the British boxing scene.
Lewis Richardson Continues His Unbeaten Start
Lewis Richardson remained unbeaten as a professional with a shutout 60-54 decision over Ivan Trofimovich.
Richardson controlled the six-round contest and continued building experience as he develops his professional career.
Nelson Birchall Scores an Impressive Stoppage
One of the more explosive undercard performances came from Nelson Birchall, who stopped Lewis Morris in the third round.
Birchall dropped Morris with a right hook, and although Morris made it back to his feet, referee John Latham determined that he was unable to continue.
The stoppage came at 1:12 of Round 3, moving Birchall to 12-0.
Lasha Guruli Edges Hughie Wilson
Lasha Guruli also remained unbeaten, defeating Hughie Wilson 77-75 over eight rounds.
It was a much more competitive affair than some of the night’s stoppages, with Guruli doing enough over eight rounds to secure the decision.
The Rest of the Card
The evening also featured several other unbeaten fighters adding wins to their records.
- Mikael Hussain defeated Nabil Ahmed by a 39-38 decision over four rounds.
- John Tom Varey defeated Jake Pollard by a 40-36 decision.
- Reese Lynch defeated Joe Hardy by a 60-54 decision.
Final Thoughts
The September 26 Birmingham card was a strong showcase for Queensberry’s domestic stable.
The main event belonged to Liam Davies, who combined precision and patience to break down Nathaniel Collins and successfully defend his European featherweight championship.
But the rest of the card supplied plenty of memorable moments as well.
McCormack captured a British title with a late knockout. Goldsmith produced a seven-round demolition of Abubaker. Birchall continued his unbeaten rise with another stoppage. And Heaney closed the book on his professional career.
The night ultimately belonged to Davies, but “Homestretch” proved to be much more than a one-fight card.
Key Results
Liam Davies def. Nathaniel Collins — corner retirement after Round 7
European Featherweight Championship
Luke McCormack def. Kay Prospere — KO, Round 10, 1:28
Vacant British Super-Lightweight Championship
Bradley Goldsmith def. Amir Abubaker — TKO, Round 7, 2:42
IBF International Middleweight Championship
Gerome Warburton def. Nathan Heaney — decision
Lewis Richardson def. Ivan Trofimovich — 60-54 decision
Nelson Birchall def. Lewis Morris — TKO, Round 3, 1:12
Lasha Guruli def. Hughie Wilson — 77-75 decision
Mikael Hussain def. Nabil Ahmed — 39-38 decision
John Tom Varey def. Jake Pollard — 40-36 decision
Reese Lynch def. Joe Hardy — 60-54 decision
Bottom line: Liam Davies delivered the headline performance, but the entire Birmingham card provided a mixture of championship success, rising prospects, dramatic stoppages and an emotional farewell that made the September 26 event one of Queensberry’s more eventful nights of the year.
