JOURNEYMEN JOY
Philip Sharkey sees experienced duo Wyatt and Riyaz each claim rare victories
Stop billing on Mickey Helliet’s Millennium Hotel four-fight dinner show (all fourrounders) were two of boxing’s most loyal servants – Ali Wyatt and Ibrar Riyaz. The pair performed positively to register themselves in the win column.
Torquay’s Iran-born veteran Wyatt started aggressively against Braintree’s
Dylan Draper, and a cut that appeared on Draper’s right eyebrow gave Ali the impetus to keep the pressure on. Although Dylan did occasionally catch Wyatt as he came inside, Draper came off second best in most exchanges. Refereefor-the-evening Lee Cook saw it closer than myself at 39-38.
The other popular road warrior, Reading’s Riyaz, conceded seven pounds in weight, but nonetheless flew at Birmingham-based Iran native Yadollah
Ghasemi from the off. Riyaz’s better lateral movement had “Yadi” swiping at fresh air at times, although a low blow from the centurion gave Ghasemi a brief respite from the swarming attacks. Mr Cook once again saw it a little tighter than I did, tallying 39-38.
Birmingham’s Karl Wiggins and Bolton’s Chris Jenkinson were involved in an intriguing chess match, which was won 39-36 by Wiggins. The switch-hitting Brummie would have scored a shutout success, had he adhered to the third man’s repeated warnings to stop using his elbows. He had a point deducted in round three for this infringement.
Reading-domiciled Austrian Konrad Stempkowski won every round for a 40-36 victory over winless Pole Lukasz Kuc. Constant jabs kept Kuc under pressure, although he proved a game opponent.
THE VERDICT Wyatt halts an eight-fight losing streak, while Riyaz records his first win in over seven years.