Party time as Bethell scores a points win

Brandon Bethell…improved showing: Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

THE Old Gold faithful chanted, brandished banners and danced with the dizzy delight of a world title victory after Brandon Bethell had his hand raised last night (Saturday).

The ear-splitting pandemonium is part and parcel of a Bethell fight night. On BCB’s show at the Hangar, in the Wolverhampton boxer’s home city, it didn’t matter that their hero had gained four round points victory over Karl Sampson, a journeyman who has won only seven of 56 contests.

It was party time. That’s what mattered.

And the 40-36 win was important, even close to vital for 23-year-old Bethell. Last time out, the big ticket-seller suffered his first professional defeat, losing on points to dangerous Jahfieus Faure. Back-to-back setbacks would be nudging disaster.

In the five months that have past, Bethell has evidently worked on his game and curbed the enthusiasm that proved costly against Faure.

Against switch-hitter Sampson (10st 1lb), he applied educated pressure, didn’t stay in the pocket. “I think that was my best performance as a pro,” he said afterwards.

“Because I lost last time, I felt the pressure – I didn’t want that feeling again. My guard was tighter, I didn’t get caught on the way out. Thanks to all my team for putting me right.”

Sheffield’s Sampson proved a frustrating opponent, constantly circling and swapping stances. He had his best moments in the third when two slashing right hooks connected.

Bethell (10st), in his sixth fight, was piling-up the points behind a sharp left hand, driving left hooks to the body and by the last session was chasing an individual who was near fleeing from exchanges.

He is back on track. He is again a winner – and that’s all that counts for the Wolves fans who follow him.