LABOURED VICTORY

ANOTHER great fighter who failed to impress was reigning lightheavyweight champion Bob Foster, who had to draw on his powerful left hook and straight right to see off Mark Tessman in 10 rounds.

Though he was defending his WBC and WBA light-heavy titles, Foster was also eyeing a jump in weight to take on heavyweight champ Joe Frazier.

Tessman had been boxing on the back foot for the entire fight, frustrating the taller titlist, who struggled to find his range.

Foster looked to be tiring in the ninth and Tessman sensed he could capitalise, despite Bob’s imperious reputation. He took it to him in the 10th, instigating exchanges and sealing his own fate. Foster timed him with a brutal left hook, before sending him over with two vicious right hands. Tessman did not beat the referee’s count.