Dylan makes it three wins on spin as pro

Clift has Osgood covering up. Picture: Inga Zulyte

POPULAR welter Dylan Clift, searching for a hat-trick of pro victories, sported a baseball cap emblazoned with “3-0” BEFORE his contest last night (Saturday).

Given busy journeyman Jake Osgood was in the opposite corner at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, that was more a certainty than bold prediction. Clift was unlikely to be left with egg on his face.

After winning every session of the four rounder 40-36, the 22-year-old explained his act of bravado. “If you don’t gamble on yourself, you don’t get anywhere in life,” he said.

Frankly, beating Carlisle’s Osgood was not a gamble. He’s no stranger to defeat, with only one win in 60. Stopping him is another matter – the man knows how to survive and only four fighters have prevented him from hearing the final bell.

What Osgood does very well is provide essential experience for young, fledgling pros.

Clift tried hard to get him out of there and looked very sharp, digging in withering body shots. Osgood, as always, rode the incessant storm of leather and even danced in his corner to background music between the third and final round, a smile on his face.

Clift, from Acocks Green, fought well, landing stiff jabs before driving right hooks to the ribs. Osgood (10st 8lbs 8oz) spent much of the second against the ropes as Dylan (10st 7lbs 1oz) blazed away with both hands. The visitor did connect with a left hook counter in the third, but it was one way traffic.

A straight right pierced Osgood’s guard in the last session and he responded by dancing around the ring behind flicking jabs.

This was the most assured performance of Clift’s short career and, at this stage, progress is all important. Talk of titles can wait.