Kent Messenger Maidstone

Defiant Dennis recovers

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Grant Dennis bounced back from a second-round knockdown to win the internatio­nal challenge title, writes Craig Tucker. The Chatham middleweig­ht (new record 6- 0) took an eight count after being caught by Czech fighter Jan Balog (10-29-1) in the headline fight at Maidstone Leisure Centre. A 78-73 points decision saw him add the internatio­nal strap to the British title secured last November. Sheppey boxer Dave Jones (7- 0) won the internatio­nal challenge heavyweigh­t belt after a tough night’s work against tricky Jiri Svacina (1220). The Czech proved difficult to pin down and faced boos from the crowd and a one-point deduction after twice sending himself through the ropes under pressure. Jones’ fitness and workrate won the day, awarded a 78-75 victory. He said: “He was turning away the whole fight and moving out of the way – he didn’t want to know. “It didn’t work trying to box him so I had to try and press on him, get him against the ropes and beat him up.” Louis Greene, from Strood improved his record to 4- 0 with an impressive victory over late-replacemen­t Jamie Quinn (2-27-2) at super-lightweigh­t. A clash of the southpaws saw Chatham middleweig­ht Charlie Shane make it two wins out of two in the pro ranks with a 40-36 shutout against the experience­d Liam Griffiths (4- 63-1). Orpington super-featherwei­ght Martin Hillman (7-2) had a slippery customer in Tamas Laska (8-8-1), winning a six-round bout 59-57. Elvis Makoda (2-1-2) won all four rounds against Billy Piper (2-2) in a super-lightweigh­t contest.

Promoter Joe Elfidh would like to thank show sponsors Kent Trade Frames and Campbell Nutrition for their support.

 ?? Picture: Countrywid­e Photograph­ic ?? Grant Dennis, left, lands a punch against Czech fighter Jan Balog
Picture: Countrywid­e Photograph­ic Grant Dennis, left, lands a punch against Czech fighter Jan Balog

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