Commonwealth Crown lost in the Kingdom by Tom Walker Feb 17th 2007

Kevin Anderson lost his Commonwealth welterweight title belt in the Kingdom of Fife last night by the same split point's decision that won him the belt in the first instance, and his opponent was similarly a boxer from Africa. Both fights were close and in the first against Joshua Okine, Kevin got the benefit of the decision, but Ali Nuumbembe of Namibia reversed that in a pulsating bout which had all of those fortunate enough to be present in raptures over its quality. Anderson weighed in at 10st 6lbs 14ozs, whilst Nuumbembe scaled 10st 6lbs 12ozs and both men looked in peak condition as they made their way to the ring amidst a cacophony of sound which sent frissons of expectation over the back of your neck. The tired old venue itself has seen better days but will never have had a better day than when young Anderson is boxing at home in a title fight. There was a small but highly vociferous band of supporters for the Namibian waving the national flag. They were however, drowned out by the local army who raucously sang (?) “The Flower of Scotland”, well at least one verse of it, which it seems, is the only one they knew. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was good humoured as epitomised by one kilted warrior with his arm linked to a Namibian who'd tried to make his own kilt from his national flag. Respect being shown by both sides and not only out of the ring. When the action got under way with referee Phil Edwards in charge, here were two boxers who had skill, courage and stamina in abundance, and to top it off there was respect between them too. Matches of this calibre are all too rare and the sport needs more of them. Anderson took the centre of the ring from the outset while Nuumbembe circled around the perimeter trying to avoid the hurtful body shots which the Fifer was delivering to the ebony hard frame of the Namibian. It isn't all one way traffic though as Nuumbembe is quick to respond with his own combinations, albeit on the counter. For me though, they're all being taken on Andersons gloves and top of his shaven head and don't score, but then I'm used to the amateur protocol for scoring shots. The earlier rounds are themselves the most comfortable I've seen Anderson boxing despite the fact that his opponent is of such high calibre. His defence is tight and his range of shots and movement are altogether more accomplished than the earlier version. Neither boxer is wasting much in terms of missed shots with accuracy and power from both men in this totally absorbing match. Nuumbembe goes for broke in the 6th as he realises that Anderson is in control. Where have they dug up their stamina from? The pace and quality is breathtaking in its intensity and the noise renders it hard for the referee to hear the bell to end the round. A clash of heads has both men with wee cuts over their left eyes in the 8th, but Benny King in his corner this is of no consequence to Anderson. This is Nuumbembe's best round by a mile and he has come back from a deficit which a lesser man could not have dreamt of. The bout see-saws with both warriors having periods of ascendancy over the other. Nuumbembe's promoter Frank Maloney is darting from side to side of the ring like some sort of demented “Paddington Bear” on speed, emphasised by the Duffle coat he's wearing to ward off the cold of the ice rink, to urge his man forward. The late rounds have Anderson wobbling from the onslaught of Nuumbembe, yet every now and again he summons some inner strength to take it and issue the Namibian reminders of his own capabilities. With the crowd roaring on their support for their favourites the final bell sounds and both boxers are quick to acknowledge each others contribution to the best fight seen in Scotland for many a year. As always in such circumstances, the camps are quick to demonstrate that their man has won, but in truth this is too close to be that quickly decided. With the support staff of each man leaning over the ropes to see if they can get a hint of Commonwealth Fight Supervisor Eric Armits mathematics ringside, it is a somewhat smug “Paddington Bear” who gestures to the Namibian's corner that he's got it two to one. I suppose he's got a right to be smug as he's brought his man, whom he'd told if he didn't win then he'd disown him, into the lions den and prevailed. The crowd accepted the decision with as much good grace as could be hoped for, despite their hero having been dethroned in a battle which will live long in the memory for skill, bravery, determination and no little stamina. Kevin then has lost the Commonwealth belt, but he has consolation in the fact that it was a superb contest, his victor is a special boxer and his own capabilities as a boxer have improved to a higher level, and his next opponent will not have the same stamina as the Namibian.

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