Salam’s success
Oct 25 2007

By Jonathan Clegg

TONY Salam emerged triumphant from the biggest test of his professional career following a rancorous defeat of Ovill McKenzie, the former Commonwealth light heavyweight champion, in Doncaster on Friday night.

Salam, the Amateur Boxing Association light heavyweight champion in 2004, extended his unbeaten professional record to six fights with a 57-55 win over McKenzie in six ill-tempered rounds at the Doncaster Dome.

“It wasn’t my best performance, but in some ways it was my best fight,” Salam said of his sixth professional win.

“People were saying I was stupid to fight a former Commonwealth champion so early in my career, but I went in there and proved that I’m clearly the better fighter.”

Salam’s victory represents a welcome beginning to a decisive month for Barnet boxers, with Ajose Olusegun, the Commonwealth light welterweight champion, and Darren Barker the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, both in action during the coming weeks.