Harris back, but it is a messy points win

Matty Harris fires a right at defensive minded Boucetta

TOWERING heavyweight Matty Harris bounced back after tasting defeat for the first time, but Friday night’s success was achieved without fire or fury.

Frankly, the 24-year-old’s win on Wasserman Boxing’s marathon, televised bill at Telford International Centre was messy and mauling. It wasn’t a good watch and referee Peter McCormack may have contemplated halting the affair to prevent fans from further punishment.

Flemish opponent Amine Boucetta looked to clutch his 6ft 8ins opponent at every opportunity,  like a shipwreck survivor attempting to grasp driftwood.

In doing so, he lost every session of the scheduled four rounder – 40-36 – and made it nearly impossible for Matty, billed out of Leamington Spa, to shine.

But for Harris, having his first bout after being shockingly stopped last July by Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, the win was everything.

The jury, however, remains out on a man who notched-up five wins – four by first round stoppage - before the setback.

He is a fighter who commands an astonishing amount of media attention, such is the excitement generated by heavyweights.

Long after his win, Harris was conducting interviews – and he plays the game well. The big man seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the spotlight.

“The fact I believe in myself is why I didn’t feel the pressure,” he said. “And Peter (new trainer Peter Fury) knows the right things to say. Maybe I was too relaxed. It was good, but I could’ve worked my hooks.

“He (Boucetta) just wanted to get through the rounds and stifle my work. I did hurt him a couple of times.”

That’s a fair assessment. Looking fleshy at 231lbs, the visitor hardly burned with ambition.

Harris (269lbs) looks a very different fighter, both physically and style-wise, under Fury. He showed a patience missing in his early bouts.

Left hand low, he prowled forward in the first behind the jab and seemed content to simply assess what was before him.

As early as the second, the referee called on both to tidy things up as Boucetta looked to clinch when danger threatened. He took a right uppercut-right hook that made him reel back – punches that only sharpened his defensive instincts.

The third was dreadfully messy. Boucetta spent time on the ropes with gloves cupped round his face and was almost bundled through them in the last round.

Harris with Yours Truly after the all important victory

I would’ve like to have seen a little more urgency from Harris, but he can be forgiven for easing his way back after such a bad loss.

Maybe next time, he’ll uncork a performance that rekindles the hope that merits the social media hype.

Boucetta lost for the 11th time in 19 contests.