Bairnsdale boxer Blake Wells has scored the biggest win of his career, a split points decision against highly rated New Zealander, Andrei Mikhailovich, in Newcastle last Sunday morning a preliminary bout to the Tim Tzuyu versus Joey Spencer extravaganza.
The fight went the distance, despite the ring doctor having to check out Wells’ eye on two occasions after he was the victim of two errant head butts from his aggressive opponent.
The two middleweights put on great display with Mikhailovich, the world number eight went going into the contest as a raging hot favourite with bookmakers who were offering as much as $5.40 about the super fit East Gippsland southpaw.
Both fighters landed telling blows throughout the six rounds, Wells looking like he’d been put through the ringer, but in reality most of the damage was caused by Mikhailovich’s head, which continually pushed in Wells direction.
The majority of Mikhailovich’s decent punches were to the body, including some cruel low blows that didn’t impress the referee.
Wells weathered the early storm before working his way back into the fight, finishing the fight strongest and obviously impressing the judges.
While this was going on he was dealing with the mental anguish caused by blood rushing from the cut and down his line of sight, hoping the injury wouldn’t cause an early end to the fight of his life.
Midway through the fight Wells’ cut was inspected by a ringside doctor, who eventually let the fight continue, which prompted the fighter to raise his fist in the air.
One judge scored the fight in favour of Wells (58-56), another the way of Mikhailovich (58-56), with the final decision going the way of an elated Wells, with a 59-55 scorecard.
Wells was delighted to pull of the well-executed plan that has now seen him catapult his name into the picture for some big fights in the next 12 months.
“Most of my fights I go out there and try to take people’s heads off, this fight I wanted to try and box a bit smarter, compose myself,” Wells said.
Mikhailovich was fearless early looking for an early exit, but it was never going to happen against Wells who was in the best shape of his career.
“He likes it rough and tough and it ended up being a bit sloppy at stages, so I did what I had to do and kept working,” Wells said.
Coach, Paul “Turk” Carroll was in awe of his boxer.
“It was a massive win for Blake against a fella ranked eight in the world on a massive platform that was awesome to be a part of. To see the sacrifices he has made he deserves every little bit that comes his way,” Carroll said.
It’s been a big two weeks for the Carroll, with another of his stable of stars, Max Reeves returning to the ring in devastating fashion.
“I’m lucky to be a part of a special team of fighters, managers and families that all share the journey and play their part,” Carroll said.
Wells is likely to be seen on another No Limit card in the coming months, with Carroll keen to take on the highly-rated Michael Zerafa.
“Someone like Zerafa would be perfect right now to continue with the progress. Blake’s in great shape, happy, content and on the up,” Carroll said.
It may take a few weeks for Wells’ battle scars to disappear but you can be rest assured he will be back in the gym in the coming days, doing everything right to give the best possible account of himself.
