Disputed Draw

Lucien Reid does not dispossess Brad Foster of his titles in London.

- John Dennen

LUCIEN REID was unfortunate to come away from York Hall with neither the British nor the Commonwealth super-bantamweight titles. A majority draw saw Lichfield’s Brad Foster retain his championships.

But he had found it hard to get to grips with the elusive challenger from West Ham. Foster looked for Reid with hard punching combinations. Reid though was quicker on his feet, his movement throwing off the Lichfield man. Lucien stepped into clinches, with referee Phil Edwards having to separate them throughout the contest. But as he manoeuvred his way round Foster, Reid whipped in quick crosses, his sudden shots catching the champion off guard. Foster was dangerous with his own left hook, barrelling into Reid when he could set himself.

Reid seemed to have racked up the rounds but the judges had them tied with a majority draw. Ian John Lewis scored 116-112 for the challenger, rightly in my view, but Bob Williams and Terry O’Connor had it 114-114.

Coming to London on Mexican Independence weekend, swathed in his country’s flag as he walked into the ring, Hugo Rosendo Guarneros wanted to display his Mexican style of fighting. But Sunny Edwards had other ideas. The Croydon boxer dictated how the bout would be fought. Guarneros advanced on him to try to sling hooks through, but Edwards darted clear. Judging the distance expertly, moving his head and upper body to dodge punches, Sunny intercepted the Mexican with jabs and well timed hooks of his own, bringing Guarneros’ advances up short.