STOKES ON SONG

Sam repeats the trick against old victim

AFTER an absence of almost 20 years, pro boxing had returned to Southend just five months previously, but with this third successive show going ahead at the Skylark Hotel, local fight fans are having their hunger sated.

A quartet of four-rounders were on the menu for this latest serving from promoter Mark Prior, with three shutout points wins and a retirement victory coming the way of the home boxers.

The early finish, garnered by local favourite Sam Stokes, came at the conclusion of the third round of a bout against old adversary

Richard Harrison, of Chessington, over whom Sam had returned to winning ways after his sole career loss with a 40-37 success at this very same venue back in May.

Swansea’s two-time British super-lightweight title challenger

Chris Jenkins banked a one-sided 40-36 win over a fully fledged super-welterweight in the guise of Slovakia’s Rudolf Durica who, a fortnight earlier, had been bested by Yorkshireman Kyle Fox.

Jenkins had returned to the win column in May with a six-session points triumph over Plymouth’s Chris Adaway, after suffering the first two reverses of his career – back-to-back points losses at the hands of Huddersfield’s Tyrone Nurse (in their British 140lb title rematch following an earlier draw), and Dubliner Philip Sutcliffe Jnr.

Also victorious via the shutout route against overseas opposition was Sittingbourne’s Jack Raines. He inflicted a 67th career defeat on Lithuania’s Simas Volosinas.

The remaining 40-36 win went the way of Westcliff-on-sea-based Pole Peter Mirga who, despite conceding a little weight, proved too much for Swindon’s “Busy Bee” Joe Beeden. Kieran Mccann and Lee Every shared refereeing duties.

THE VERDICT Just a four-fight offering in Southend, but it’s still appreciated by the locals.