May, Murdock and Ogilvie wrap up another successful CDL card

 
ONCE again, a Western Alliance card delivered by leading West Australian promotional outfit CDL Boxing Promotions delivered the goods.

 
A capacity crowd at the Empire Function Centre saw surprise knockdowns, knockouts and an evenly matched top-to-bottom professional card.

 
Just under two weeks removed from the seventeenth instalment of Western Alliance, the headline attractions Nathaniel May, Rohan Murdock and Brandon Ogilvie discussed their performances on the night.

 
In the night’s main event, hugely talented featherweight prospect Nathaniel May suffered two knockdowns against Filipino livewire Lloyd Jardeliza, before grinding out a gruelling ten round unanimous points decision to pick up his second WBO Asia Pacific Youth title in as many divisions.

 
“It was arguably the toughest fight of my career,” said May in a post-fight interview with Aus-Boxing. “I was hit below the belt numerous times throughout the fight, which ended in a point deduction for Jardeliza,”

 
“But he was very strong with a good record and coming from the Philippines. I got sucked into trading with him in the earlier rounds and he surprised me when I hit the canvas in the third and fourth rounds,”

 
Having never previously been floored as a professional, May (now 11-1, 5 KOs) describes the multiple knockdowns as a unique experience in itself.

 
“At the time I noticed I was looking at the ceiling, it wasn’t until then that I realised I had been dropped,”

 
“I immediately looked to my corner as I have never experienced sitting on the canvas,” continued May. “I was instructed to box and move,”

 
“I stood there for a bit and I was still trading with him, then I began to move as instructed. All I could remember telling myself is don’t get hit again,”

 
“After getting hit below the belt several times, I had to make sure I didn’t lose focus on the game plan at hand. I also made sure that I didn’t stand and trade toe-to-toe with a heavier puncher,” May explained.

 
“Although I was faster and more elusive then he was, they still managed to break through,”

 
Having secured his second regional title, May is now focused on a future fight in his hometown, promoted by his trainer Peter Stokes. Although no opponent has been confirmed, May is looking forward to his next outing.

 
“I am headlining another show back in my hometown on August 1st,” May added. “It’ll be on one of my coaches promotions and hopefully for the WBA Oceania title,”

 
“I’m looking for more of these kind of fights to keep me learning and improving for the bigger opportunities for me and my team. I want to keep as active as I can without burning out.”

 
The night’s other regional title fight featured big-punching super middleweight Rohan Murdock, who retained his WBO affiliated belt with a second round knockout over Francisco Ramon Benitez.

 
Fighting in his state of birth for the first time, Murdock (now 16-1, 13 KOs) was eager to put on a polished performance for his new employers and did so in relatively impressive fashion.

 
“It felt good to get the stoppage win over my undefeated international opponent,” said Murdock.

 
“I was only beginning to warm into the fight as it was scheduled for ten rounds. I believe my skills and strength were to strong for the Argentinian,”

 
“It was an amazing feeling returning to Perth, performing in front of relatives and in front of a new audience,” Murdock added. “I am expecting to have three or four more fights in 2015,”

 
With a credible WBO #8 world rating in his possession, Murdock sees a potential title eliminator within his grasp and is looking to close out the year with as many fights as possible.

 
“A world title is my ultimate goal and with the team I have behind me and a couple more challenging bouts, we will be ready.”

 
Popular local Brandon Ogilvie made the first defence of his West Australian lightweight title, disposing of fellow West Australian Jacob McBride in three one-sided rounds.

 
Having proven that he is the premier lightweight in his state, Ogilvie (now 11-1, 5 KOs) is looking to move up the domestic ladder in the near future.

 
“Coming into the fight we knew that McBridge was going to come out strong in the opening rounds,” said Ogilvie. “So we had to control him with the jab until we started to open up his defence,”

 
“Once we did that, I started to catch him with good right hands. As the rounds progressed I started to step on McBride with some good body shots and uppercuts until the referee stopped the fight,”

 
Ogilvie, 21, also opened up about his thoughts of an early retirement, before he was persuaded out of it.

 
“I considered retirement coming into this fight,” Ogilvie explained. “I had a lot of personal things going on and it wasn’t until my Dad convinced me not out of it,”

 
“He told me that I had a lot to offer to the sport and I’m glad I never stopped boxing. As for the rest of this year – I’m going to keep active – so I can fight for bigger and better things,”

 
 
Photo: CDL Boxing Promotions