Battling Brummie packs power punch

Saville, the Midlands Area lightweight champion from Wolverhampton, jumped up two weight divisions last night to face red-hot prospect Gavin.

And he was on the floor before being rescued inside two rounds of the scheduled six-round clash at the Echo Arena.

Two years ago, Gavin became the first British boxer to win gold at the world amateur championships and since turning professional the slick southpaw from Birmingham had won his opening three fights inside the distance to climb the welterweight rankings.

Saville is a handful for most boxers in Britain at his weight, but simply couldn't cope with Gavin's extra size, speed and power.

The 38-year-old veteran admitted the former amateur star fought the right fight by deciding not to trade punches with him.

"I just wish he had shown more bottle," said Saville afterwards. "He didn't take any chances against me and let me have a shot at his chin. He kept his hands up and stuck to his jab.

"He was massive and had such long arms. He is very difficult to fight.

"I'm disappointed I didn't do better against him, but he's a class act. He's a good prospect and I'm sure he can go a long way."

Saville was looking to bounce back from his controversial points defeat against Youssef Al Hamidi at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, but the size of his task soon became obvious.

Saville was pinned on his back foot for most of the opening round and Gavin also targeted the stocky powerhouse's body with lightning fast hooks.

Early in the second, Saville launched several swiping hooks off the ropes that made Gavin call off his attacks briefly, but after a body shot left him hurt, the Black Country boxer was sent to his knees by a clipping southpaw left.

He beat the referee's count, but the fight was waved off.

"That body shot took everything out of me," said Saville, whose target is a rematch with Al Hamidi for the British Masters light-welterweight belt.

Also in action was Darren Gethin from Walsall and he produced a gutsy showing against unbeaten former amateur star Liam Smith before dropping the points verdict after a hard-fought four-round battle.

Paul Smith claimed the British super middleweight title with a split points decision over Tong Quigley. Judge Phil Edwards scored the bout 116-114 to Quigley, but Smith found favour with Howard Foster (116-113) and Ian John-Lewis (116-112).

And Olympic gold medalist James DeGale made it four wins from four with a third-round stoppage victory over Ally Morrison.