Eales too slippery for Russia’s tough Vasif

Eales has his hand raised after routine victory over Mamedov

ASHLEE Eales, a tall-light middle with more moves than a removal company, wiped away the ring cobwebs with routine victory on Tommy Owens’ Sports Connexion, Coventry, show last night.

The tattooed former dancer – one of the game’s larger-than-life characters – took every session of his six rounder against Vasif Mamedov, a tough looking Russian bear of an individual with a nose that suggests he’s been repeatedly struck with a shovel.

Referee Ryan Churchill scored the contest a 60-54 whitewash.

It was not vintage Eales, a man who carries real power in either fist. That’s understandable – the Nuneaton prospect was returning after fourth months out through a broken left hand. He was testing the waters.

Switching constantly from southpaw to orthodox, he picked punches rather than spraying combinations. The usual power took a back seat to precision.

Importantly, the 29-year-old, now unbeaten in nine, declared afterwards: “The hands were beautiful, Iet them both go without a problem.”

He is a big puncher who has a ring history of hand damage.

It was too one paced to be a great fight and Eales appeared to know the usual excitement and spark was missing. He didn’t blaze away because he didn’t have to.

“If there are fighters who think they can take me on after that performance, they should think again,” he told me. “I’m ready, I’m ready for titles.”

Mamedov (11st 13lbs 8oz) was simply too slow and predictable for Eales who is one very slippery customer in the ring, if you’ll excuse the pun.

Nicked on the bridge of the nose, he trudged forward but lacked the savvy to pin down Ashlee.

The Southampton based Russian, who has won three of 51 (five draws) was knocked back by a left hook in the first by Ashlee who switch-hit throughout. It was not a case of selecting a round to change stances – at times he did it after every exchange.

I felt he showed much more authority when orthodox. Ashlee (11st 5lbs 8oz) was copped by a right in the third and my notebook states: “Eales threatening, not throwing enough.”

He fought most of the fourth left jab first and landed some of his best shots. Two long rights stung Mamedov, but Eales was back to southpaw punch picking in the fifth and closed the show, hands by his waist, with sharp, straight punches.

A Midlands title fight cannot be far away for ambitious Eales. We know he has mesmerising footwork and carries power, soon we’ll find out if he has a champion’s mettle.