MITCHELL’S BACK

Simon Euan-smith sees Smith triumph after long layoff

HARROW’S Mitchell Smith came back after five years out, and delighted his fans with a fifth-round win over Bulgarian Petar Aleksandrov at the Woodside Centre.

The end was confusing. A right to the head dropped Aleksandrov by the ropes – he was up before “eight” but walked to his corner, clearly intending to leave. The towel came in and he turned round, as if willing to box on – but referee Chas Coakley signalled the end, and it was announced that he had accepted the corner’s surrender. Time was 2-32, and it had been scheduled for six.

Aleksandrov was unhappy with Mr Coakley after the latter took up a count when Aleksandrov went down in the second. Aleksandrov protested that he had slipped in water. When Mr Coakley warned Aleksandrov in the fourth, for punching behind the head, the Bulgarian walked back to the corner and got out onto the ring apron, though he quickly returned.

For Smith, the important thing was the win. Now 29, with his out-of-the-ring problems supposedly behind him, he’s back. He showed no sign of rust, and he constantly outworked an opponent who was prepared to fight. The signs are good.

In his debut fight, light-heavyweight Malik Kareem halted Manchester’s Yailton Neves in 52secs of a scheduled four,

A left to the head rocked Neves, and he went down. He was up quickly, and took the eight-count – but a combination to the head rocked him again, and referee Kieran Mccann called it off.

Luton’s Tysie Gallagher outscored Nicaraguan Jamileth Vallejos, referee Coakley’s 60-52 scoreline reflecting two points deducted from Vallejos in the final round for landing two punches after the order to break.

Boxing Management London promoted.