Jermaine wins - now for the Midlands title

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards…dominated against Russian foe

IN regional boxing – away from the glare of TV cameras – there are lavish ring walks, then there’s Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards’ entrance.

Last night (Friday) at the Hangar, Wolverhampton, the self-style Kundalini King threw everything bar the kitchen sink at it.

The tattooed 34-year-old donned native American dress for the occasion – complete with dramatic war bonnet, his father played drums, children with feathers in their hair followed the Wolverhampton welter.

Whisper it, but Osbourne-Edwards looked more dressed to face General Custer than Russian Rustem Fatkhullin over six rounds.

After such pre-fight theatricals, the bout was always destined to be anti-climatic. In truth, it failed to catch-fire, with Osbourne-Edwards dominating without hitting top gear. The 60-54 scoreline was a formality.

Few risks were taken, but Osbourne-Edwards’ trainer Richie Carter had a point when he told me: “These kind of opponents can be dangerous – rush in and you get clipped. I liked the fact Jermaine showed he can keep his shape over the championship rounds – and we’re looking at a Midlands title fight next.”

He has a point. If you’re winning handily, why take unnecessary risks?

Southpaw Jermaine, now unbeaten in seven, is one of the game’s more colourful characters.

He’s also a walking, talking endorsement of the good boxing can do. His life as a former gang member has been well chronicled: the man had a lawless existence before being saved by the sport.

At the end of last night’s headliner on the BCB, two police officer who evidently knew “The Kid” from the bad old days, entered his dressing room to congratulate the local hero on his life transformation.

Following mutual platitudes, Osbourne-Edwards innocently asked: “Hey, you guys have still got my house keys. Any chance of getting them back?”

The crowded room erupted with laughter.

The fight itself was fairly one-paced. Fatkhullin was actually a pound heavier than his opponent at 10st 4lbs 4oz, but looked much the smaller man.

At times, he waved his lead like a paintbrush as Osbourne-Edwards stalked, pressured and cut the ring off: it was a trap, although his counters were few and far between.

Osbourne-Edwards kept him respectful behind the jab, forced the Russian to the ropes, then bent his knees and fired long lefts to the belly.

Fatkhullin spent long periods against the strands and only really opened up in a spirited final session. He landed two hooks to the body only to be caught by a right hook. Both swung freely in the final seconds.

“I thought I could’ve done a bit better,” Osbourne-Edwards said afterwards.

Maybe so, but what he did was way too much for Fatkhullin, who has now lost 59 of 67.

*Jermaine’s victory was dedicated to cousin Chantelle Lee Cameron who died last November, aged 34. At the final bell, he draped a banner featuring her image over his shoulders.