Sweet revenge for Oakey

Champion retains his title in front of Sky cameras at Bethnal Green

Last updated: 1st February 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sweet revenge for Oakey

Oakey: Hard worker

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Tony Oakey maintained his grip on the British light-heavyweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Peter Haymer.

The defending champion produced a cracking left hook to stop his opponent at Bethnal Green, thus gaining revenge in their re-match.

Haymer was controversially awarded the pair's first meeting on points back in June 2005 at the same venue, much to Oakey's annoyance.

Since that win the challenger had failed to kick on though and came into the fight off the back of defeats in his last two contests.

Non-stop

In contrast Oakey has not been beaten since, including capturing back the Lonsdale belt with a stylish stoppage of Steve Spartacus.

His bustling, non-stop style did mean he had to take some shots to find the target, and he finished the contest with a bleeding nose and a swollen right eye.

But the 32-year-old's unstoppable work-rate proved too much for Haymer, who did well to keep going as long as he did under constant pressure.

"I knew it was going to be a hard fight because the first fight was a hard fight, although I thought I won it easily it was a hard fight," Oakey told Sky Sports afterwards.

"But I'm never really in an easy fight! I'm just really pleased that I settled the score and the knock-out was the icing on the cake.

A thudding hook from Oakey hit his rival square on the chin in the fourth and he again found the target in the seventh with a long overhand right.

Pressure

The ninth saw the entertaining bout come to an end, Haymer finally collapsing under the pressure when two short rights set up the finishing blow.

Referee Mickey Vann gave the Londoner every chance to rise from the canvas but he never looked like getting up, bringing to an end an excellent domestic dust-up.

Oakey was certainly pleased with his night's work and is hoping his performance may now lead to a shot at the European title.

He added: "I think I'm more or less at my peak now. I'm starting to mature and I'd love to fight for another title if (promoter) Frank (Maloney) can arrange it."

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