Shock for Salam - Fry wins in six

06 February 2008

A BRITISH light heavyweight title showdown between champion Tony Oakey and challenger Courtney Fry looks on the cards after both blasted outstanding KO victories at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday night.

Chadwell Heath prospect Tony Salam had his own title hopes - and his unbeaten pro record - exploded by former Repton amateur Fry's sixth-round stoppage win on the Frank Maloney promotion.

Oakey, who admits his move to Newham's TKO Gym has resurrected his ring career, kept his British light heavyweight crown with a ninth round stoppage of Peter Haymer to avenge an earlier disputed decision.

Classy former ABA champion Salam, who earned a sports science degree at the University of East London, had started favourite to take the honours in the chief supporting contest.

His loose-limbed southpaw punches certainly shook Fry, a former Commonwealth Games gold medal winner at the Repton club, who has lost just one of his 11 pro contests

However, after the early rounds Fry's long range shots were finding their target and the tiring Salam went crashing down and out after a terrific left-right combination found the target in the sixth session.

Salam clearly has the talent, now he must show the determination to come back from his crushing first defeat in eight contests.

Boosted by the best win of his pro career, Fry can also now look forward to his title chance but knows it will not be easy against the battled-hardened Oakey, who looked in the top condition as he took control against the taller Haymer as their tough battle wore on.

The dramatic ending came in the ninth session when Oakey's powerful left hook sent Haymer crumbling to the canvas to end any argument as he took the full count.

Radford wins

Another TKO fighter in winning form was Canning Town's Jamie Radford, who made it three straight victories when he came out on top of a lively derby duel against Barking's Johnny Greaves.

Greaves, who is still looking for his first win, was clearly outgunned in the opening round but fought back gamely to test Radford, who came through to clinch a 39-37 points success.