Truman unlucky not to be given Daws nod

Chris Truman can count himself unfortunate not to have the scalp of an ex-British champion on his record.

The Birmingham light-welterweight, boxing on the Hennessy Sports-promoted, Channel 5-televised undercard of Kid Galahad's vacant WBC International title fight with Jason Booth in Rotherham last night, conceded an eight-round decision to Lenny Daws in a bout he looked to have won.

Usually a solid judge, well-respected Doncaster referee and former pro Michael Alexander remarkably saw the high-intensity 33-year-old former two-time British 10st boss a 79-75 victor [or 5-1-2 in rounds] that looked so wide of the mark that serious questions need to be asked.

For what it's worth and for the record, i had Errol Johnson-trained Truman [pictured, above, on the attack on his pro debut in 2009] edging an always-interesting contest 77-76. But to have Daws losing only one session when those i spoke to on press row all agreed that he didn't win a round until the fifth is nothing short of scandalous. 

Despite conceding over five inches in height, 27-year-old Chris, who fights for his first professional title at the end of next month, made an excellent start. The ardent Aston Villa supporter, wearing claret and blue shorts, boxed on the front foot, ducked underneath Daws' lead and exploded with accurate overhand rights.

This continued throughout rounds two and three, with bull-strong Truman timing his right hands perfectly over the once-formidable jab of the Morden-based crowd-pleaser, who wasn't allowed to settle into any form of rhythm. By the fourth Lenny's face was red and his Brummie foe continued to work away on the inside with success.

Short left hooks as his opponent marched in and rights to the body started to find their mark for Daws [10st 1lb 14oz] from the fifth onwards, though - and the jab that secured him victories over the likes of Colin Lynes, Nigel Wright and Barry Morrison showed more potency and accuracy in the sixth. 

The seventh was an even affair with both giving as good as they got and, in truth, Daws probably got the better of the last, whipping in uppercuts on the inside as the rough and tough nature took its toll on two willing men known for their fitness. 

Well-supported Chris [10st 1lb 12oz] offered his hand at the bell but was met with a shake of the head and Daws, who's slowing down with age and the effects of a tough career, improves to 23-2-2 (9) and keeps his projected British title eliminator later in the year on track.

For Truman, 8-2-1 (1), the disbelief on his face when the scoreline was read out said more than a thousand words could. He still boxes for the Midlands Area light-welterweight belt in Burton on March 30, against Derby champion Dave Ryan, and on the evidence of last night's stellar showing against a British top ten-rated former champion don't bet against him winning it.

There also was defeat for another of Errol Johnson's boxers, 147-fight Wolverhampton veteran Delroy Spencer [8st 8lbs 14oz], who was shut-out over four-threes by Doncaster southpaw Jason Cunningham [8st 8lbs 12oz], now unbeaten in two and who threaded through some nice right-leading punches after a slow start.