Third (or is it fourth) time lucky, I don’t think so! by Tom Walker Mar 23rd 2008

Aberdeen's most successful professional boxer Lee McAllister has to face yet another opponent for the WBU light-welterweight title next Saturday. Firstly it was supposed to be Michael Gomez, then it was ostensibly, Kpakpo Allottey and now would you believe it, it maybe Bilal Mohammad another Ghanaian. But then again it may not, since a phone call to Mohammad's manager revealed yesterday morning that he (Mohammad) has never fought outside Ghana, doesn't have a visa, much less the essential medical clearance. The chances of that happening in time for next Saturday are as remote as my being nominated for the Booker prize for literature. How about Mihaita Mutu, a Rumanian boxing out of France? He's beaten Barry Morrison in Belfast on points over eight rounds (his only other British opponent) and has a slate of 35 bouts with 22 wins (9 KO's), 11 defeats (1 KO) and 2 draws! Could he feature on the top of the bill in the AECC? We shall have to wait and see who shows up on the night! Three, (or could it be four?) different opponents in as many weeks is not ideal preparation for any boxer, much less one who is preparing for a “World” title bout. Professional Boxing is a sport in which an inappropriate preparation can have extremely serious ramifications, especially at the higher levels! Lee McAllister will box anyone they care to put in front of him, but his management must accept responsibility for the debacle that this has now become. Notwithstanding his (the “Assassin's”) preparation, what about the paying public? The venue had been sold out for some time, as it always is with the popular local fighter. This is a slap in the face to the paying public of the “Granite City” with the first choice Gomez (a crowd puller himself) then second; third and now maybe even a fourth choice possibly on offer. Are we not entitled to see our local WBU champion being treated with a bit more respect; after all he's consistently repaid the management with his crowd pulling ability? The facilities up here, not to mention the value of money, are as good as in other parts of the U.K. This sorry state of affairs will undoubtedly do harm to the reputation of whomsoever is responsible. Hopefully though, that won't affect the long term cache of the “Assassin” as he's always fulfilled his side of the bargain by pulling in the punters, and creating the sort of atmosphere at the venue which higher profile fighters would give their eye teeth for.

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