Saville's suffers shock defeat

Friday 18th September 2009
Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

This past Friday night First Team promotions hosted a five fight card billed as "Big Bother".

Local favourite Steve "Bomber" Saville was left fuming after losing a 96-95 decision to awkward Youssef Al Hamidi for the vacant British Masters light welterweight title, in what was an eventful top of the bill.

From early on it was clear Syrian born Al Hamidi had come to have a go and wasn't just there to make the numbers. The late substitute (Saville was originally supposed to fight Jon Baguley) landed some decent shots and was slightly the busier of the two, Saville looked to cover up and looked for the big shot.

In round four Saville found the big shot and dropped Al Hamidi. Al Hamidi was still the busier though in the middle rounds and Saville's left eye was badly swollen. In round six Al Hamidi was docked a point for blatant use of the head but Saville's eye looked a mess.

Saville seemed to tire in the later rounds and was struggling to keep his eye guarded at the same time trying to find one big shot. Al Hamidi however continued to outwork the Wednesfield man. At the end of the tenth referee Shaun Messer lifted Al Hamidi's hand much to the dismay of Saville. Al Hamidi improves to 6-20-1, whilst Saville is now 19-6-0.

Elsewhere the paparazzi were out in force as recent Big Brother contestant (and boxer) Angel McKenzie took on Wolverhampton's only female boxer (and current GBC super featherweight champion) Lyndsey Scragg. It was to be no eviction party for McKenzie though as hometown girl Scragg exited with a 79-75 points victory.

Essington Middleweight Ben Wilkes continued his improvement in his debut year with a 40-38 points victory over Matt Scriven who's always a good test. Wilkes improves to 5-0-0.

Worcester's Alex Strutt impressed with a first round stoppage victory over Scunthorpe's Davey Jones that send his travelling fans home happy.

Willenhall prospect Myles Holder made it three wins out of three with points victory overChris Brophy over six rounds.

Birmingham's Chris Truman improved to 2-0-0 with a shutout points victory over Welshman Craig Dyer over four three's.

In attendance at the decently supported show were ex British welterweight champion Young Mutley who entered the ring to applause, ex WBF light middleweight champion Marcus Portman, both from West Brom and current Commonwealth super flyweight champion Don Broadhurst.