LYNES EDGES IT

But Petrov comes to fight

COLIN LYNES won his second comeback fight, taking a 77-76 verdict over eight against Mitcham-based Mario Petrov at the Brentwood Centre. I thought referee Lee Cook was generous to the loser, but Bulgaria-born Petrov came to fight. Lynes pressed forward, and I felt his work was generally a shade more effective. But Petrov showed plenty of confidence against Hornchurch’s former two-weight British (and European superlight) champion, and had success when he stood off, switched to southpaw and threw long jabs as Lynes came in.

Also on this Mack the Knife promotion, Roehampton’s Jamie Carley ruined Mikey Sakyi’s unbeaten record, scoring an emphatic 59-56 victory over six. Triallist referee Chas Coakley officiated, with Mr Cook scoring.

Both got stuck in immediately, but Carley quickly got on top, pressuring his man to the ropes. Sakyi (Romford) hit back when he could, but was being outworked – and that would be the pattern. In the sixth Carley started to stand off, looking to jab from a distance – and Sakyi took the initiative, coming inside and landing a good right. But it was too little, too late.

Irish super-welter titlist Paul Upton – who resides in Romford – well outpointed Lithuanian Deividas Sajauka over six. Referee Jeff Hinds scored 60-54. Sajauka looked a little fragile but stood up to everything, gamely coming forward. Upton finished with a bump under the left eye and a diagonal graze above.

Over four, Manchester-based South African Cornelius Ramaphala took a 40-36 verdict against Lithuania’s Arvydas Trizno. Mr Hinds refereed.

In bouts handled by Mr Coakley, Mr Cook awarded West Ham’s Bradley Smith a 60-55 verdict over Reading’s experienced Ibrar Riyaz, and Louis Adolphe (Raynes Park) a 60-54 decision over Lithuania’s Edvinas Puplauskas in six-rounders, while Ealing debutant Jake O’meara was given a 40-36 win over Slovakian Rudolf Durica over four.

THE VERDICT Lynes keeps ticking over, but if he’s to make a move it’ll have to be soon.