RUST-SHEDDER

Local Dale blows away some cobwebs against Anyanwu

HAVING successfully put his first defeat behind him with a win over Nathan Hardy last time out, and with hand problems seemingly sorted, Norwich’s Nathan Dale

[inset] was looking to shake off a little rust in what was only his second bout in 18 months.

His opponent at the Holiday Inn Norwich North, Amsterdam veteran Innocent Anyanwu, always comes to fight, so looked a good choice of opponent against whom to shed a few cobwebs. This was proven by the fact that he was still there throwing at the end of a six-rounder, despite being bested by a margin of 60-55 for the night’s referee, Mark Bates.

Lowestoft’s Southern Area super-featherweight king Craig Poxton had his first run-out of the year and found an old adversary, Reading’s Ibrar Riyaz – one bout short of his 150th – awaiting him across the ring.

Poxton had won 78-74 in a clash over eight in July last year and he duly completed the double, this time claiming a 60-55 success.

Unbeaten local Zaiphan Morris went in with Jamie Speight from Kingsteignton. Despite it being a step up in quality for Morris, Speight had nonetheless lost all 12 since capturing the Southern Area featherweight title a year ago. Morris emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins at the conclusion of a close tussle, the fourrounder being scored 39-38. Wisbech’s Joe Steed, having just turned 20 and previously an amateur with March ABC, had his first outing in the pro ranks. Exchanging blows over four against Driffield’s experienced Danny Little and backed by a voluble following, he notched his maiden victory, taking all four sessions to secure a 40-36 triumph.

THE VERDICT The second of three shows in the space of six days from promoter Mervyn Turner is well received.