Big-head but too good for Jennings

NOBODY likes a big-head, let alone one who gives your favourite a right thumping. But it has to be said, Paul David's top-of-the-bill defeat of Matt Jennings at St Pierre Park bore the mark of sheer class.

It was Jennings' first venture into the ranks of open class and he now knows what to expect.

David, from Kingsford near Northampton, produced one of the finest performances seen locally for years and Jennings did well simply to be still on his feet at the end of four tough rounds.

Jennings was clearly outpointed by the 20-year-old who received a first-round warning for showboating in the manner of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Naseem Hamed.

But David put Jennings on the floor just once, midway through the opening round and incurred the wrath of the visitors' coach, who disapproved of his teasing when he felt that an early finish should have been his aim.

David later paid tribute to the hardy Jennings.

'That boy can take a punch - he absorbed them all.

'He put in an outstanding performance for his home crowd,' David added, clearly enjoying the furore of beating the Guernseyman on his home patch and having put on a show.

The contest was the eighth and last bout watched by a slightly smaller crowd than the norm.

The Police Community of Great Britain squad proved tough opponents, but there were commendable home victories for Alderney's Adam Rose, debutant Danny Froome and young Tom Martin.

Somewhat surprisingly given the entertainment of the David-Jennings clash, Rose's light-heavyweight contest against Chris Rice was awarded the bout-of-the-night prize.

It also raised a few eyebrows with the decision, a majority verdictin favour of the tough Ridunian. Martin also benefitted from a split verdict, finally overcoming Edis Hussain.

Fellow Amalgamated BC junior Bradley Watson was not so fortunate, losing a majority verdict to little Gamal Yafai.

Watson looked the more accomplished boxer but just could not overcome the tigerishness of his smaller rival, who never stopped coming forward.

Fellow Guernsey youngsters James Woolnough and Simon Murphy were both stopped, but there was an excellent debut win for Froome, who won a unanimous verdict against M. Stapleford.

In what appeared no more than exhibition welterweight contest Leonis' Oliver Power outpointed Guernsey's Simon Hainsworth.