GLASGOW'S Steve Boyle, the British light-weight champion, was
yesterday ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control to defend his
title against Walsall's Peter Till by March 31.
For Boyle, who won the title by beating fellow Scot Alex Dickson in
Glasgow almost two years ago, it ends months of waiting to get into the
same ring as Till to prove just who is the best 9st 9lb fighter in the
country.
The pair were to have met in Till's home town last summer, but the
promotion was cancelled. Now Boyle's chance will come early in the New
Year.
It is unlikely, however, that he will make this defence in front of
his home fans in Glasgow. He recently transferred from Scottish manager
Tommy Gilmour to London's Frank Warren and it is almost certain Warren
will want to stage the bout in the south.
British heavy-weight champion Gary Mason has also been ordered to
defend his title against European and Commonwealth champion Derek
Williams. But Mason's manager Terry Lawless is unlikely to risk his
man's unbeaten record against Williams and Mason could give up his
crown.
Meantime, Nigel Benn's proposed challenge for Roberto Duran's World
Boxing Council middle-weight crown -- pencilled in for London next May
-- was thrown into doubt yesterday.
British officials expressed reservations about the multi-million
dollar showdown on technical and medical grounds.
Duran, 38, turned in a dismal performance in losing his super
middle-weight clash with Sugar Ray Leonard 10 days ago and BBBC
secretary, John Morris, suggested the Panamian should forfeit his WBC
middle-weight crown as both fighters were within the 11st 6lb limit.
And BBBC doctor Adrian Whiteson posed questions about the ageing
Duran's fitness to box. ''Duran does boxing no service by allowing
himself to become so unfit,'' he observed. ''He was a shadow of his
former self.''
Hopes of a Frank Bruno-Mike Tyson rematch in London next summer were
dealt a severe blow by the BBBC yesterday. John Morris said Bruno would
have to prove his boxing ability again before being allowed another
crack at the undisputed world heavy-weight champion.
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