One right hand puts Steed in the big time

Calm before the storm…Woodall (right) and Richards

IN football, a single goal cannot save a side from relegation. In cricket, a single six cannot rescue a test.

But in pro boxing, a single punch can save a career.

That is something Steed Woodall can testify to after the Birmingham super-middleweight, trailing on points, uncorked one mighty right hand to poleaxe previously unbeaten Lerrone Richards.

A loss at the home of Bolton Wanderers on Friday night would not have plunged the 30-year-old into retirement, but the sixth round victory saved the top level career Woodall wants for himself.

The win – against a man who had never tasted defeat in his previous 18 contests – was much more significant than the WBO inter-continental belt Woodall had strapped round his waist.

And manager Jon Pegg admitted: “If he’d lost, I think he would’ve wanted to retire – it’s been a hard road. But you can’t look back and, hopefully, this will open up some doors.”

Woodall, a former world class amateur whose paid career has been blighted by inactivity, made a mockery of the 33-1 odds against him.

The general belief was southpaw craftsman Richards, a former Commonwealth, European and IBO word champ, would prove too slippery for Steed.

And in the fifth round the contest seemed to be falling into the predicted pattern, with Richards dictating the pace behind a slick jab. Woodall trudged forward against an elusive target.

Inspirational orders from Paul “Soggy” Counihan, in the underdog’s corner, appeared to turn the tide.

He implored Woodall to “keep throwing”, force the action and, basically, win ugly if he had to.

Woodall came out for the sixth with added urgency and detonated that short right.

At first, I thought Richards could’ve been allowed to continue after hauling himself upright at eight. But watching the action back, it’s apparent referee Steve Gray’s decision to end matters at one minute 39 seconds of the sixth was spot on.

He asked Richards to walk to him, looked closely in the boxer’s eyes, then called a halt. He saw Lerrone was badly stunned and there was no protest from the loser.

That power-laden right had taken everything from Richards, who needed close to a minute on his stool before recovering sufficiently to congratulate Woodall.

Lerrone was just ahead on two of the three judges’ cards before the finish: one by two rounds, the other by a single session. The third official had Woodall leading by a round.

Those providing commentary on the Wasserman show, which was broadcast by Channel5, had Richards controlling the action.

Pegg disagreed with their interpretation.

“It was like the emperor’s new clothes,” he said. “Everyone was giving Richards the credit in rounds where he wasn’t doing anything.

“There comes a point in a fight when you say, ‘you’re not hurting me so I’m going to go’ – and that’s what Steed did.

“Richards was going forward, trying to push Steed back and that was when he managed to get the touch.”

Woodall, who won for the 20th time in 22 contest, has gained a world top 15 ranking courtesy of the win.

Pegg added: “They were talking about a title fight for Richards if he won, so how about giving that to Steed?”