Two of Bradford's best young amateur boxers produced an impressive climax to an exciting show at the Ukrainian Club last night.
Robert Nelson of Karmand Centre and Jamil Hussain of the hosting Bradford Police Boys Club had the crowd on their feet with a thrilling four-round contest.
The verdict went in favour of Nelson on a unanimous points decision, but the aggressive Hussain pushed him all the way.
In fact there was little to separate the two boxers throughout, but for the second time in his 91-bout career Nelson got the verdict over Hussain as he took his career tally of wins to 81.
Hussain had forced the pace for much of the contest but Nelson boxed cleverly and countered strongly behind his solid left jab.
The top-of-the-bill event followed two more impressive bouts which had the crowd enthralled.
Sirfaraz Younis of the Bradford Police BC delighted his supporters by blasting his way to a unanimous points win over the gutsy Mark Robertshaw of Boarshaw.
The two boxers traded big blows from the start and in the second round Younis twice forced his opponent to take a mandatory eight count with his powerful punching.
The all-action style of the contestants was greeted by a standing ovation at the end of the three rounds.
The appreciative crowd then witnessed the best boxing exhibition of the night. It came from former National Schools champion Andy Morris of West Wythernshaw who beat Karmand Centre's Dean Lambert on a majority points decision.
Lambert showed a lot of heart but the class and crisper punching of his rival ultimately decided the outcome.
Lambert's club-mate Imran Khan made a winning start to his career as he stopped Abdul Hye of Police Boys in two rounds.
Kameran Ayaz of Police Boys was another local winner as he outpointed Harry Handley of Handsworth but there was disappointment for his club-mates Nissar Hussain and Rafakat Ali.
Hussain looked to be on top in his bout with Chris Spacey of Doncaster's Sacred Heart Club but he walked on to a big left hand and took an eight count in the second round.
That helped earn his opponent the points verdict
Ali suffered a similar fate. He was pushing Leroy Smedley of Bridlington all the way until he too took an eight count in the second round of their contest and eventually lost a majority decision.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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