SCOTS TITLE GLORY FOR STEFAN
Sanderson wins Area belt, while debut pair are also victorious
FIGHT fans north of the border are being treated to more than their fair share of shows at the moment and this latest one at the Crowne Plaza Hotel featured a clash between unbeaten southpaw pair Paul
Kean and Stefan Sanderson for the vacant Scottish Area superwelterweight title.
Kean, having already banked eight straight victories, had been looking to emulate the feat of fellow Dundonian, the late Mike Towell, who was the last winner of this particular belt. But it was Johnstone’s Sanderson, in only his fifth paid outing, who had his arm raised at the finish, a second-round knockdown helping towards a 96-94 points victory at the conclusion of 10 hard-fought rounds.
Unable to complete the job early despite his best attempts, Sanderson, who finished with a bloody nose, remained the more aggressive of the two whilst the well-supported, more precise and more economical Kean, who increased the pressure towards the finish, looked happier jabbing and scoring on the counter.
A pair of super-lightweight debutants, Wishaw’s Barrie Mcrorie and Dundee’s Sean Mckiddie, completed proceedings. Mcrorie, who quite amazingly not too many years ago tipped the scales at almost 24st, went in against Chatham’s Stockport-born Ricky Rose. Having taken a round or so to work out the elusive visitor, who was happiest when on the back foot and on the move, Mcrorie improved with every passing round. Barrie’s best session was the last when, cutting off the ring, he took the fight to Ricky to secure a 40-36 shut-out win.
Former kick-boxer Mckiddie was a shut-out victor over four too, overcoming experienced opposition in the shape of Gloucester’s Andy Harris, though the manner of his victory was seemingly more convincing than that of Mcrorie; Sean’s confidence and precise shot selection left no doubts as to the winner.
THE VERDICT Sanderson works as a personal trainer in Dubai, but will be happy to return home to Scotland to defend his newly won belt