It's been a long road back since Tony Oakey fell from grace in 2003 but the Portsmouth man regained the glory last night with a dramatic twelfth round stoppage of Steve Spartacus to take the vacant British Light Heavyweight title at the ExCel Arena in London.

Just a few weeks ago ex-WBU and Commonwealth titlist Oakey was due to challenge Peter Oboh, who somehow held onto his British title through 4 years of inactivity, but when Oboh pulled out less than an hour before fight time, the title became vacant.

The British Board of Boxing Control then moved to clear up the light heavyweight picture by ordering Oakey to face Ipswich's Steve Spartacus, a former English titlist.

Much was made of Spartacus during the pre-fight build up but Oakey clearly didn't notice as he set upon the taller man as soon as the bout started.

Sensing that this could be his last opportunity at a title that mattered, Oakey went to work behind the jab and continually moved in on his opponent, landing combinations that put Spartacus back on his heels.

Spartacus bid his time and waited for the 31 year old South Coast man to lose steam but this was Oakey's night and the pressure continued round after round.

Oakey lacks significant concussive force to his punches but by the final round the damage done to Spartacus had an accumulative effect and as the fight wound down to it's final stage, the embattled Hennessy Sports fighter was taking punishment on the ropes and unable throw anything back, causing referee Richard Davies to stop the action at 0:34 of the twelfth round.

Three and a half years ago Oakey lost his WBU title to Matthew Barney and then failed a post fight drug test which earned him a one year ban from boxing.

Today, Oakey has made a full return and is the proud owner of the British Light Heavyweight title which he must next defend against former IBO Super Middle kingpin Brian Magee in what is sure to be the biggest fight of Oakey's career.

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