Isaac Chamberlain relieved Mikael Lawal of his British cruiserweight title after twelve round one-sided rounds at the York Hall. Chamberlain also claimed the vacant Commonwealth title with a dominant display.
Chamberlain (16-2, 8 KO’s) and Lawal (17-1, 11 KO’s) have been on each other’s minds for the majority of the year. They were due to fight back in May but Lawal was forced out of the fight on medical grounds. Familiarity breeds contempt and tensions have steadily risen throughout the build-up but the fight never caught fire. Chamberlain was just too good.
Lawal may have been the champion but Chamberlain has operated at a higher level – his two career defeats coming to fighters who would go on to become world champions, Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith – and he settled immediately. Lawal seemed to be struggling with Chamberlain’s constant activity and on the rare occasions he did see a gap, his attacks were telegraphed and slow.
Clearly needing to change things, Lawal attempted to close the distance in the third but found himself pushed back to the ropes where a confident looking Chamberlain attempted to unload on him. Lawal was calm and composed but losing rounds.
Chamberlain didn’t need to do anything out of the ordinary. He was busy, kept Lawal occupied with his jab to head and body and put his punches together when the chance presented itself. It was a simple game plan but it prevented the heavy handed Lawal from getting set to punch. Through five, Chamberlain had won everything.
By round eight, Lawal was at crisis point. His activity began to pick up and he came close to landing a hard right hand, wisely Chamberlain attempted to nip any success in the bud instantly, closing the distance and mauling Lawal along the ropes.
Lawal appeared disheartened as he answered the bell for the tenth. His tactic of loading up hadn’t reaped any rewards all night long and now, desperate for a knockout, it was his only way of salvaging the fight. Chamberlain just continued with his plan. He wasn’t hurting Lawal but he was breaking his heart.
This was a tame performance from Lawal who has previously shown himself to be a dangerous puncher, albeit it a lower level. The movement of Chamberlain seemed to leave him completely stumped and he never came close to figuring it out.
The result was a formality. Terry O’Connor had it 119-111 whilst Victor Loughlin and Marcus McDonnell both had it 118-111 for Chamberlain.