Cheema must now take a career gamble

Dylan is clattered by a right hand. Image: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer

THE blinding light that was Dylan Cheema’s star has dimmed since the slick lightweight emerged from nowhere to win Boxxer’s tournament last year.

Last night it flickered before fading a little more following defeat to rugged Nicaraguan Robin Zamora.

On Boxxer’s major, televised Wolverhampton show, Cheema dropped a six round decision, 59-56 on referee Ron Kearney’s card. I had it closer, but the right man had his hands rounds.

If ever a record masked a fighter’s true worth it’s the one belonging to southpaw Zamora. The bald statistics - 21 wins, 24 losses – do not do justice to a fighter who is a real handful.

Zamora comes to fight and is tough as boot-leather. He’s a bit of a beast, too much of a beast last night for Cheema.

Zamora showed what he brings to the table against Worcester’s top welterweight Owen Cooper in July. Cooper had to overcome some sticky moments before prevailing on points.

Back then we felt Owen had suffered an off night. Following 25-year-old Zamora’s victory over Cheema, that may have to be re-assessed. Maybe he ran into a genuine dangerman who is rapidly gaining self belief.

Zamora certainly delivered a significant dent to the grand plans of Cheema and those guiding him. And I’m not sure where they go from here.

It’s not the 27-year-old’s first defeat – Jordan Ellison outpointed him by a single point over four rounds last November.

But while that setback could be seen as a mere wrinkle on Cheema’s career path, last night’s loss was a tear.

It wasn’t a disaster, but it was uncomfortably close to a disaster. Cheema’s team announced they were going back to the drawing board after Ellison upset the applecart.

There are only so many times you can return to the drawing board.

When he won the Boxxer competition – a victory rewarded with a bumper payday and major promotional contract, Cheema was hailed a star in the making.

Cheema can’t hide his disappointment at the verdict

I now consider that success both a blessing and curse. It thrust the raw novice into the spotlight and heaped expectation on his shoulder.

Long term, Cheema would’ve benefited more from learning his craft on the small hall circuit.

I like him. He’s articulate, brave, has an exciting style, brings a carnival atmosphere to arenas – drummers again accompanied the ring walk, and, as one of the country’s few Sikh pro boxers, has introduced a new audience to the game.

There’s an awful lot to like.

But last night underlined the man’s fundamental fighting flaw. Cheema gets hit too often, his defence is too easily breached.

Dramatic changes are needed.

That may sound very harsh, but Dylan’s features following last night’s loss add weight to the claim.

He was banged up around both eyes and blood leaked from his nose.

Looking back at my notes, the signs of an upset revealed themselves very early on. After the first round, I wrote: “Worrying signs, Zamora landing left hands.”

Cheema (9st 11lbs) took the driving seat in the second, landed a neat right, but was shipping far too much.

He was rocked by two big lefts in the fifth and sported the welts and bruises of a boxer who had been through the mill.

Zamora (9st 13lbs) thoroughly deserved his win and celebrated as if a world title had been captured.

For Cheema, risks now have to be taken to prove his credentials. He is not yet in a position to face Britain’s best, so must bear his teeth against fellow prospects.

Scott Melvin and Danny Quartermaine have both expressed a desire to face Dylan. Those are the fights Cheema now needs to entertain – and they’re not easy fights.