AS controversy abounded in Glasgow boxing circles yesterday following
Monday night's British bantam-weight title fight between Ronnie Carroll
and Joe Kelly, which ended in a draw, there were no real complaints from
the two little men who battled it out over 12 rounds.
Carroll, the favourite, thought he had done enough in the early stages
to get the verdict, while Kelly, who surprised a lot of people with his
performance, felt he should be the newly crowned champion. London
referee Dave Parris, however, could not separate the Glasgow bantams at
the end, although I agree with those who thought Kelly's aggressive
style should have clinched it.
Now, they have it all to do again. And yesterday Tommy Gilmour, who
promoted the fight and is Carroll's manager, announced that he has
contracts signed for a rematch at the St Andrew's Sporting Club on
January 27.
Sanction from the British Boxing Board of Control should be a mere
formality. ''I don't see any problems,'' said Gilmour. ''Ronnie and Joe
were the leading contenders for the vacant title, and, having drawn,
they are both entitled to another shot. I respect the referee's decision
and if he saw it that close then it would have been a shame if one of
them had to lose.''
Carroll and Kelly have been friends as well as rivals for a number of
years and less than an hour after their bruising battle it was good to
see them laughing and joking together. ''Come on, have a drink with us,
Jim,'' said Carroll. ''Joe's paying.''
This was the more acceptable face of boxing, the side which the public
don't see often enough. Nasty snarling and juvenile behaviour, which we
see too often south of the Border, may help sell tickets but does no
favours to a sport which constantly is under heavy criticism. The fact
that the fiercest critics couldn't tell the difference between a boxing
glove and a gum shield should not lull officials of the sport into
thinking that their voices are not listened to in high places.
Ronnie Carroll and Joe Kelly, with their behaviour before, during, and
after a fight which meant so much to them, did more good for boxing than
most of the so-called superstars, who are all too keen to lead with
their mouths in the mistaken assumption that they are giving the public
what they want.
Roll on January 27 when the two little big men from Glasgow will again
earn themselves a tidy little sum -- they deserve it.
Next time, though, I hope there is a clear winner and then we can look
forward to yet another all-Glasgow fight for the title. Waiting in the
wings is current WBC International champion Donnie Hood, who because of
one mistake -- having refused to take part in a return with Carroll
after narrowly outpointing him -- has been snubbed when it comes to
domestic ratings.
Hood, who fights Denver's Vinnie Ponzio at the Hospitality Inn in
Glasgow tomorrow night, is hoping his manager Alex Morrison can get him
a shot at the world title, but it also will be a matter of some personal
pride to him that he is given the chance to sort out who is the
''champion of Glasgow.''
Carroll or Kelly against Hood certainly is a match which would be a
sellout in the city.
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