Meadowbank undercard - Anderson and Lockett march on by Tom Walker Dec 16th 2007

The aperitif served up before the main course of the “Interim World” title fight in Meadowbank had some bite in it, with the action pretty good value for the money. Setanta Sports coverage too, has moved onto a level in which the channel has such luminaries as Steve Bunce and Richie Woodall adding gravitas to their presentation. The show opened with Jason Hastie (9st 4.5lb) in his second professional outing against Shaun Walton (9st 6lb) of Telford who has been a regular up in Scotland as opposition to fledgling professionals on this side of Hadrian's Wall. Hastie was never troubled in this, his first outing in his hometown. He has a variety of shots available in his armoury and used them liberally, only being caught occasionally with a counter from the Telford man. There was a lack of head movement though, which he'd do well to work on as Walton didn't capitalise on it but future opponents may well do so. Hastie had a good economy of shots hitting the target and looked good in this role of professional. In the end “Slasher” Walton just didn't “cut it” and Hastie was a comfortable 40-36 points winner from referee Victor Loughlin. Kris Karslaw (11st 1.5lb) was next up against Paul Royston (11st 2.5lb) with Paul Graham of Fauldhouse in charge of the action. Karslaw took the centre of the ring from the outset and controlled this bout from start to finish. His (Karslaw's) right cross-hook was a potent weapon during the bout, but Royston was wary of it and moved off to his right to avoid the inevitable consequences. Karslaw eased to a points win with a 10-8 in the fourth round when he put Royston down for a count. However, the Yorkshireman held out to hear the final bell and Paul Graham's score of 40-35. Kenny Anderson (12st 2.5lb) boxed Simeon Cover (12st 4lb) in Anderson's hometown debut in Edinburgh. Cover had considerably more experience going into this bout and he used all of it to survive, at least until the last round when Anderson finally caught him flush, to end the bout in 27 seconds of the last round. Anderson had a four stoppage slate from four outings going into this bout and Cover was obviously well aware of it. He spoiled the tactics of the Edinburgh boxer at every opportunity in a vain attempt to go the distance with Anderson. This was my first sight of Kenny since I was team manager of Scotland in Seville in 2003 and he looks the part of a seasoned professional. Gary Lockett (11st 7.5lb) from the principality is an exciting talent and with appropriate opposition guarantees action. His bout with Kai Kauramaki of Finland last night was a total mismatch though, as the Finn may have had 26 bouts coming in to this fight, but this one was so one sided as to be less than a spar for the “Rocket” Lockett. The Welshman had the back-pedalling Finn down three times inside 1 minute and 9 seconds of the second round, which was more than enough for referee Paul Graham. A pity then we didn't get to see the best of the likeable Welshman. Ricky Burns (9st 9lb) met the other brother Smith, Billy (9st 11lb) over 6 x 3mins. Burns had dispensed with Ernie Smith in a points win in September of this year and duly completed a double over the Smith family with a sharp and very professional demonstration of his capabilities, with crisp jabs and counters to Smith who tended to use big hooks as his only weapon. You can't help but like the Smith boys, as they're always there when needed, have a sense of humour and always try to give value for money. In this case Billy Smith did just that, however, Burns was always on top with a demonstration of boxing at its best. He (Burns) came away with a straightforward 60-54 points win and the acknowledgement of Billy Smith that he'd boxed well. John Simpson (9st 6lb) and British featherweight champion, was matched against Youssef Al-Hamidi (9st 5lb), a Syrian based in Dewsbury. The Syrian had all the tenacity of a “Yorkshire Terrier” as he was oblivious to Simpson's undoubted superior skills. He set about his task with a frenticism that defied energy levels. That said, Simpson was up to the task of dealing with this human dynamo by using his movement and accuracy. Simpson did seem on occasion to be slightly off balance and on one such was clipped with a right hook and had to touch down, albeit of the “flash” variety. It was enough to give him a standing count in the third. Simpson went all out to redress the balance in this round and almost had Al-Hamidi down towards the end of the third. Simpson began to take control of the bout despite stiff resistance from the Syrian, who is hard to hit with his rapid and erratic movement. The end saw Paul Graham give it to Simpson by 77-75 points, which I think a bit mean on the British champion, but hey ho, it is a subjective business. Prior to the main bout Ricky Hatton made an appearance which raised the roof as the fans chanted his name. Surely they must have realised he was up in support of Alex's opponent, fellow Mancunian Steve Foster Jnr. Nonetheless, it is indicative of the popularity of the “Hitman” that he can affect the crowd in such a manner. Scott Harrison too, made an appearance which all right-minded supporters must rejoice at the sight of; he looks to be back focused on the sport and we'll all be the happier for that. There was a sizeable and highly vocal contingent of fans from the west coast in support of both John Simpson and Ricky Burns giving further rise to the thought that fans in Edinburgh are lukewarm to their best boxer Alex Arthur. My own theory on this is more to do with football than boxing, and the photo shown where Alex Arthur had nailed his flag to the mast of one of the Edinburgh teams has backfired in that the fans of the other team in the capital will have none of it. Perhaps SN should think of putting a clause in their contracts that the wearing, in public at least, of football tops is not acceptable, then such churlish reactions on the part of opposing football fans would not affect the cache of the boxer concerned.

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