Ringside Boxing Report: Sam Rukundo – Silence Saheed
 Click for larger image © Stefan Christou Saddo Boxing |
In an explosive match up last night, Sam “Rocky” Rukundo continued his perfect winning record by capturing the vacant British Masters Light Weight title with an impressive win against Silence Saheed. The fight took place in a gala event at the New Connaught Rooms of London’s West End, hosted by the Mayfair Sporting Club. |
In a smoky atmosphere the fighters vied for control, Rukundo trying to stay sharp and outbox his opponent as Saheed attempted to overwhelm and panic the native Ugandan.
Saheed’s tactic worked well and he rocked his rival with a powerful combination in the second that left Rukundo clinging on and gasping for air. One round on and Rukundo’s eyes looked clear and by rounds seven and eight, his dominance was beginning to show. The Tottenham based “Rocky” expertly combined his punches on an ever advancing Saheed and in the eighth, I was sure the Canning Town based Nigerian was ready to go down. Saheed kept fighting however and did not lose sight of his tactics despite a worsening redness in his eyes.
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Silence had suffered a bloody nose in the third, and between rounds some blood landed on my note pad – after all his hard work, defeat for Saheed would be just as unpleasant.
After the scheduled ten rounds were over, the referee obligingly awarded Rukundo the win,
93-96. Although so closely matched in the ring, their styles of boxing and their records couldn’t be more different. Saheed is now four fights into a loosing streak, after starting his professional career so prolifically. His fortune had turned when he last fought for the British Masters Lightweight title; the seventh fight of his career with five wins and one draw to his name, he was disqualified for hitting his opponent while down. Since then he has lost ten out of twelve fights and must be wondering where his career can go from here.
Rukundo, now 7-0 (3), on the other hand, has every right to be pleased with the win. He remained calm against a dangerous opponent and boxed well using jabs and counters to make the more meaningful hits.
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Throughout the fight, Silence Saheed’s corner barked and shouted – even to the point of being disrespectful to the other man, shouting to Rukundo and the referee. Rukundo’s corner however stayed silent throughout – Rukundo preferring to fight in the moment.
On the undercard, Irish lightweight sensation Andrew Murray was allowed to demolish opponent Ian Reid, the referee ending the fight late in the fourth and final round. Murray impressed, standing with his feet planted well, he rained punches on Reid, who had little defence except to duck and move his head.
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If only the Balham man had been taught to use his legs or to punch back when in trouble he may have stood a chance. A jab might also be a good weapon to add to his armoury as his wild swings – powerful though they might have been – had no range with which to find his opponent. The referee later described Reid as “very brave”, but it was an obvious mismatch. The St. Albans based Murray improves to 4-0 (2).