Boxing In Britain: Ojuederie Wins Southern Area Belt In London

ByRicky Jones

Last night at the Royal National Hotel in London, JJ Ojuederie, 10-3-1 (2), picked up the biggest win of his career, as well as the British Southern Area Light Heavyweight title, with a ten round points verdict over Andrew Lowe, 16-4 (1).

Ojuederie had a tough start to his career, going 1-3-1 over his first four bouts before pulling off eight straight victories to force a showdown with Lowe for the Southern Area crown.

The 28 year old from Watford must keep on winning if he is to challenge for the English or British crowns, held by veteran rivals Peter Haymer and Tony Oakey, respectively.

Ex-British Super Middle and WBU Light Heavy Champ Matthew Barney, 25-6-1 (6), was also on the bill and won his fourth on the bounce by outpointing former Ghanian/West African Super Middle titlist Ayitey Powers, 13-13-1 (9), in an six round rematch.

Southpaw middleweight Gokhan Kazaz, 9-1-2 (2), was back in the ring for the first time in over two years and celebrated with a four round win over Sherman Alleyne, 1-10 (0).

Heading up north to the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton-On-Trent, Nottingham light heavy Rod Anderton, 11-2-1 (3), won the vacant British Masters title by putting in a ten round decision over Hamed Jamali, 9-6 (1), and local light heavyweight Jonjo Finnegan, 11-3-3 (0), defeated David Pearson, 6-22-1 (1), over four.

At the Civic Centre in Motherwell, Scotland, Coatsbridge lightweight Martin Watson, 15-5-1 (6), shook off three straight losses against difficult competition to pound out a ten round win over Chris Long, 9-19-3 (3) , to capture the International Masters belt.

Towering welterweight Paul Burns, 8-0-3 (1), won an ten round scrap with iron-chinned Welsh hard man Gavin Tait, 5-8 (3), for the International Masters crown while light welter Charles Paul King, 10-0 (0), stayed undefeated with a six round victory over Mark Betts, 4-6-5 (2), and middleweight Chris Black, 8-2-1 (2), posted a six round points win over Darren Gethin, 8-14-5 (2).