SAHOTA EDGES IT

Simon Euan-smith sees Sanjeev pushed all the way by brave Baker

SANJEEV SAHOTA kept his unbeaten record with a close points win over Birmingham’s willing Kane Baker on a Queensberry promotion at York Hall. After eight hard-fought sessions, Chas Coakley – scoring at ringside for triallist referee Mark Bates – had Sahota up by 77-76, which looked fair.

Baker started fast, and probably won the first – and always hit back after being caught. But Sahota (Hornchurch) started coming forward behind the jab in the second, and finding the target. There were good exchanges, and Baker absorbed Sahota’s best shots. Baker finished with a cut under the right eye.

Sidcup’s DP Carr edged Paul Holt (Birmingham) over six good rounds, referee Coakley scoring 58-57. Southpaw Holt gave it a good try, always coming forward, landing solid shots to the body, and rallying after being tagged. But Carr’s punches had more sting and he worked effectively, picking his punches and sometimes switching stance.

Jake Pettitt (Erith) halted Denis Bartos (Czech Republic) in the third of a scheduled four. In the second a left hook dropped Bartos in his own corner for ‘two’, then a right to the body had him down again. He was up at ‘two’, and the bell rang as referee Bates completed the eight-count.

In the third Bartos was under more pressure, finally going down in a neutral corner from a right to the head. He was up at ‘three’, but referee Bates counted to ‘eight’ and waved it off after 2-55.

Harley Benn (Hornchurch) outscored James Gorman (Belfast) over four, referee Coakley scoring 40-37. Gorman pressed forward, but Benn showed good footwork and an effective jab.

Zak Chelli (Fulham) stopped Poland’s Przemyslaw Binienda in the second of a four. Binienda was cut on the left eyebrow in the first, and was taking stick on the ropes in the second when referee Jeff Hinds stopped it after 2-16.

THE VERDICT Sahota has to fight hard to keep his unbeaten record.