Gradus Kraus (8-0, 7 KO’s) hacked through Scott Forrest (7-2, 4 KO’s) with such relentless ferocity in Sheffield on Saturday night that when the final bell sounded, the arena audience didn’t know whether to applaud or feel relieved.
Forrest was a step up in competition for Kraus on paper, yet the young Dutchman tore him to shreds with composed ease. Unbelievably, Kraus – a light-heavyweight – had also stepped up to cruiserweight to make the bout happen and was two stone (12kgs) lighter than the hulking Forrest.
Things nearly ended in the very first round when a crushing Kraus left hand felled Forrest. The teak-tough Scotsman regained his feet and re-entered the fray, only to endure a wood-chipper of a six-round beating.
The eighteen-minute performance was a slick but brutal showcase for Peter Fury’s Dutch protege, with the final two rounds in particular being tough viewing for anyone not named Kraus.
Kraus’ bout preceded a main event contest which saw Belfast’s Sean McComb (20-2, 5 KO’s) re-stake his claim to being a super-lightweight world title contender.
Belfast man McComb survived a first-round scare of his own to outbox and outfox defending champion Ben Crocker (14-1-1, 2 KO’s) and take the IBF European Super-Lightweight Championship from the Welshman.
The win will see him enter the top ten of the IBF rankings and enter his name into a world title contender conversation which will have him potentially just one win away from challenging reigning IBF champion Richardson Hitchins next year.
“I’ve been talking to [GBM promoter] Izzy Asif about potentially doing a show in Belfast in February or March next year. Then I’d like a world title fight later in the year. I think [my Irish rival] Pierce O’Leary is also capable of winning a world title, so maybe you see us in an all-Irish world title fight in 2026. I think a clash between us is inevitable.”
Tysie Gallagher (10-2) retained her British, Commonwealth and WBO International Super-Bantamweight Championships with a polished performance against the previously undefeated Ellie Hellewell (7-1).
She dedicated her ring career to her mother-in-law Diane Cleary, who was murdered in January, and said she now hopes for a world title shot next. “It’s been a tough year, so getting that win is great. I was very disciplined and I’m excited for what’s next,” she said.
Gallagher called for a showdown with unified world champion Ellie Scotney next, or a long-awaited clash with domestic rival Ramla Ali.
GBM: ON THE EDGE – MAIN CARD RESULTS
Sean McComb def.. Ben Crocker – (96-93 all cards)
10 x 3 – IBF European Super-Lightweight
Gradus Kraus vs. Scott Forrest (60-53)
8 x 3 – Cruiserweight
Tysie Gallagher def. Ellie Hellewell (98-93, 97-93 and 97-94)
10 x 2 – British, Commonwealth & Wbo International Super-Bantamweight Championships
Shakiel Thompson def. Grant Dennis (KO, R2)
8 x 3 – Middleweight
Edward Hardy def. Jose Manuel Perez (PTS, 6/6)
6 x 3 – Super-Bantamweight Contest
