Boxing In Britain: Khan Wins, Matthews Stunned In Bolton

Britain’s golden boy, Commonwealth Lightweight Champ Amir Khan, was back in the ring last night, facing Denmark’s Martin Kristjansen for the WBO Intercontinental crown in a bout that also served as an official WBO Title Eliminator at Bolton Arena in Bolton, England.

Fresh off a solid points victory over former IBF/IBO Super Feather titlist Gary St. Clair in February, the 21 year old starlet had a perfect opportunity in the form of Kristjansen as the light punching 30 year old Dane didn’t have the artillery to trouble Khan.

Khan’s handspeed and sharp skills were in evidence, proving too much for his brave but outgunned rival, who was canvassed repeatedly in the seventh before the bout was stopped as a result.

The “Bolton Wonder” improves to 17-0 (13) while Kristjansen suffers his first stoppage loss and stands at 19-2-3 (5).

With the victory, Khan becomes the number one challenger to newly minted WBO Champion Nate Campbell but will almost certainly need more experience under his belt before tackling such a seasoned battler as the 36 year American, who recently outfought the recognized unified champion at the weight, Juan Diaz.

In the chief support bout at Bolton Arena, WBF Featherweight Champ Choi Tseveenpurev, 27-4 (19), shocked previously undefeated WBU titlist Derry Mathews, 20-1 (11), via a fifth round knockout to win his ninth bout in a row.

Original opponent to Matthews, Steve Foster, had withdrawn and was replaced with Tseveenpurev, who despite his 36 years, presented a very real threat to the glittering future of the Liverpool sensation.

The native Mongolian now residing in Oldham, England, had quietly developed a respectable career since turning pro in the Far East in 1996. In just his second pro bout, Tseveenpurev dropped a decision to Thailand’s Veeraphol Sahaprom, 18-1 (13) at the time. Two fights later, Sahaprom began a six year reign as WBC Bantamweight Champion over 14 title defenses.

Three fights later, Tseveenpurev’s education continued as he lost a decision to PABA Super Bantam beltholder Bulan Bugiarso before reeling off six straight wins, including three in his new home of Great Britain.

In 2001, Tseveenpurev lost a six rounder to the undefeated and future Commonwealth Lightweight king Willie Limond by three points in Glasgow before winning nine more contests, largely against British journeymen, picking up the British Masters Featherweight trophy along the way.

In 2004, Tseveenpurev traveled to Denmark to face former IBF Super Bantam Champ Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and narrowly dropped an eight round majority decision by a total of three points.

After that, the Mongolian promptly went on the best run of his career, stopping six of his next eight opponents, three of which had been undefeated, annexing the WBF Featherweight prize and defending it twice before going into the Matthews clash.

Also on the card, former British and current WBU Welter titlist Michael Jennings, 33-1 (16), stayed busy by stopping Georgian import George Ungiadze, 12-6 (4), in the seventh frame of a non-title eight rounder.

Another highly regarded prospect was sent to a first defeat when previously unbeaten lightweight Anthony Crolla, 8-1 (5), was outpointed 77-76 after eight by England based Syrian spoiler Youssef Al Hamidi, 4-8-1 (1).

Al Hamidi had come into the contest on the back of a loss to light welter novice George Watson just two weeks ago but the hard luck Dewsbury man regained the form that saw him shock two unbeaten prospects and lose to the talented lineup of Michael Hunter, John Simpson, Ricky Burns, Akaash Bhatia and Lee Cook by a total of just seven points over a sixteen month period.