Browse Sections

• Salford City Reds
• Local football
• Local cricket

Lacklustre Steve loses his 100 per cent record

15/12/2005

WORLD champion Steve Foster Junior suffered the first dark day of his professional career at the weekend.

The 25-year-old spoilt his 100 per cent record with a lacklustre display against what was billed as Ugandan cannon fodder.

Ugandan Buster Dennis had lost more than half of his 22 professional bouts but he still had the tools to trouble an out-of-sorts Foster Junior.

The Salford WBU Featherweight champion was rocked by a series of clubbing right hooks to the head and in the end he was relieved to come away from the eight rounder with a draw.

Salford's first world champion for more than 100 years said: "It was just one of those nights.

"I couldn't get my shots off and I'm really disappointed because I know I can do better than that.

"But it's hard to motivate myself for a non-title fight."

Foster Junior was unable to carry out in-depth preparation for the fight due to a last minute change of opponent.

He had trained to lock horns with Marian Leandraliu at London's ExCel Arena.

But the Romanian failed to make the weight and Foster Junior was more or less forced to fight blind.

Foster Junior was also hampered by an illness doing the rounds at Oliver's Gym in Pendleton.

He did not look like a world champion who had won all 19 of his professional fights. He looked laboured and ring-rusty, which was hardly surprising since he had only had one fight since winning his world title in February.

Gymmate Darren Cleary also endured a disappointing day.

The 25-year-old Salford bantamweight suffered a controversial points decision to ABA champion and top London prospect Matthew Marsh.

Cleary dropped his unbeaten opponent in the fourth round and he is itching for a rematch.

Cleary said: "I dominated the fight but every time I fight in London I end up getting robbed on points.

"I am sick of it. He was nothing and I want a rematch. But I wouldn't fight him in London again."