Former European light-welterweight champion Ted Bami returned to action with victory over the game Nicolas Guisset.
Ex-European champ prevails, but fails to impress
Former European light-welterweight champion Ted Bami returned to action with victory over the game Nicolas Guisset.
Bami, forced to give up the belt now held by Colin Lynes, was far from his best but will be glad to have the win on his record after 10 months out of the ring.
Especially as he faded badly in the second half of the eight-rounder and even admitted to his corner that he was struggling before the last session.
Fortunately by then, Bami had done enough although his camp will be hoping that the stamina problems were simply down to such a long lay-off and nothing more serious.
There appeared little sign of rust as the fight began though, Bami inviting Guisset on to him and scoring well at close quarters.
The Frenchman's willingness to plod forward helped although Bami's jab was sorely missing, as was the explosive work that had taken him to the European title and earned him the nickname Dangerous.
Consternation
The halfway stage signalled a shift though and as Bami eased off, Guisset grew in strength. His lack of power meant he was never likely to see it through, but it still caused consternation in the Brixton man's corner.
To his credit, the 29-year-old regained his focus and closed the fight out with a little more verve, securing a 79-76 verdict from referee Manuel Palomo.
Afterwards, Bami was honest enough to admit that the lay-off had taken it's toll.
"It showed I'd been out for so long," he told
Sky Sports. "You can look good in the gym but in a fight it's a different thing. I looked good in sparring but it just wasn't there.
"I think I was too relaxed and under-estimated the kid. But he fought well."
His 10-month absence had been a but of a mystery, although injury was given as the reason for him pulling out of the defence against Gianluca Branco last year.
But again, the Congo-born Brixton barber, was willing to put the record straight.
"It was a personal problem and I had a little injury," he said. "There was a little problem in my house - I was going through a divorce and it was kind of getting me, so I gave up the title.
"I wanted to give the other kids a chance - Colin Lynes and Young Mutley - to fight for it and Colin has done well."
