Hat-trick of wins for apprentice pro Liam

Liam Gould….given perfect learning fight by Aleksandrov

TOUGH Bulgarian Pitar Aleksandrov provided apprentice pro Liam Gould with the perfect learning fight at Dudley Town Hall last night.

On the undercard of Ijaz Ahmed’s British super-flyweight fight, Coseley’s Gould controlled the action, but was never allowed to take his foot off the pedal.

Light-middle Aleksandrov (10st 11lbs 12oz) kept it competitive, although losing every session of the four rounder, 40-36.

At 24 and with three bouts now under his belt, Gould (11st 11lbs 8oz) is pleasing on the eye and a work in progress.

He landed a cracking right in the first, switched to southpaw and repeatedly slammed shots to Aleksandrov’s body.

The visitor attempted a grandstand finish and attempted to trade with Gould in the last. He invariably came off second best.

Gould has turned over following a solid amateur career. Fighting out of Tipton’s William Perry Boxing Club, he racked up 19 victories from 37 amateur bouts.

The punching pipe-fitter admits there’s work to be done before he steps up to sib and eight round class.

He said: “I’ve done a few rounds with Conah (Walker) and he’s the most experienced sparring partner that I’ve had. He’s tough and relentless, so it’s been perfect preparation.

“I’m more of a range boxer, so it’s brought me on trying to keep him off. We’ve done six rounds twice. Another time, I did three with him and the same with Oli Cassidy, straight after.

“I’ve sparred with Oli (now a 6-0 pro) before, when we were both teenagers, but we’ve come on a lot since then. It’s all styles and things to think about.

“All of my training has been ramped up and I’ve been hard at it since the new year. I was told on the night (December 22), of my last fight, that I’d be out again in March, which was ideal.

“Last time I had George Rogers and he was a bit negative. He didn’t want to engage and was tough to break down, because he was on the run so much.

“He was on the ropes a lot and most times, when I got in close, he tied me up. I was a bit frustrated with it, but it was still a comfortable win.

“I did hurt him, in the second round. I caught him with a counter right hand and that really wobbled him. I rushed in and smothered my work, so we’ve been working on that in the gym.

“I’m still learning and that’s what it’s all about, a this stage. Every time I spar, I’m doing better than I did the previous time, so I’m happy with the process.”