Marcel dominates in sparkling pro debut

Drzewicki opens up on Morton in dominant display. Picture: Inga Zulyte

WE know one thing for sure about newcomer Marcel Drzewicki. He flogs an awful lot of tickets.

Following his comprehensive points victory over Glasgow’s Tony Morton last night (Saturday), the ringside interviewer asked Drzewicki: “Is there anyone left in (your hometown) Burton upon Trent?”

He wasn’t kidding.

Those fans roared from first bell to last as slender Drzewicki (9st 2lbs) pummelled Morton (9st 6lbs 4oz) on manager Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show. In the fourth and final round, the tattooed Scot dropped to one knee for eight after shipping a sickening left to the body.

But Drzewicki blotted his copy book by landing a shot while Morton was on the floor and the stern lecture that followed from referee Peter McCormack bought the visitor precious recovery time. He was able to fiddle his way to the final bell and lose on a 40-35 landslide.

I was a little wrong footed by Drzewicki who has turned over after 27 amateur bouts and success at Midlands level. Much has been made of his Polish heritage, he wore the country’s colours and throughout the contest his corner barked instructions in Polish.

Yet he spoke to me in a distinct East Midlands dialect.

With boyish features, Drzewicki looks a lively addition to the pro ranks. He pawed out jabs, drove Morton to the ropes, then slammed home left hooks to the ribs in threes and fours before changing angles and belting Tony’s other flank like a chef tenderising rib-eye.

Southpaw Morton, who spent much of the torturous encounter trapped against the hemp, offered very little back.

I’ve watched him before and written about his fragility. Morton has gone down the journeyman route but appears to lack the ruggedness of other journeymen. He’s now lost 14 on the spin, four by stoppage.

He finally buckled in the last, slumping to the floor under another barrage. I’m sure Drzewicki’s misdemeanour cost him a debut stoppage win.

“I feel absolutely amazing,” Drzewicki said afterwards. “I’ve had my ups and downs, I’m lost for words.”

Much stiffer tests await the Burton boxer.