DOUBLE DECKER

Andy Whittle watches both men hit the canvas, but Ghaz gets the win

LEEDS NOVEMBER 24 ★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★ ATMOSPHERE

THERE was another full house in the Banqueting Suite at Elland Road for this Mark Bateson-promoted dinner show – an event which saw his son Jack taken the distance for the first time as a pro. The six-round bill-topper pitched Bradford’s Hamed Ghaz in against Lithuanian Edvinas Puplauskas. It looked like this one might provide something of a shock when Ghaz walked on to a counter right late in the opener and found himself on his backside.

This setback for Hamed was soon forgotten, however, and there was revenge in the penultimate session when Puplauskas – still a danger at times – was sent over backwards by a trio of hard rights. The score at the finish – from the night’s referee, John Latham – read 58-54 in favour of Ghaz.

A late change saw Leeds’ Mick Learmonth face another Lithuanian in the shape of towering Imantas Davidaitis. The former rugby player managed to steer clear of the visitor’s always dangerous, but on this occasion not particularly frequent uppercuts, and notched the win with a score of 40-36. The previously mentioned local, Jack

Bateson, faced his toughest pro opponent to date when he shared the ring with Evesham grafter Brett Fidoe. Bateson took every round (40-36), and displayed a fine variety of work along the way.

Bradford’s Lee Mcghie made it six successes out of six in the show-opener, defeating Hyde’s still-winless Mike Castell 39-37. Meanwhile, there was a 40-36 triumph garnered by Leeds lad Billy Pickles. He knew a little too much for Poland’s Pal Olah, who was counted in the dying moments after touching down momentarily.

THE VERDICT Another successful night for the Bateson family.