Perfect tune-up for body-puncher Dylan

Mutual respect from Norman and Hallett after their battle

IN all honesty, I wish Dylan Norman more fortune in the fight game than others. He had a tough childhood, he’s overcome heartache, he’s faced hurdles – including a potentially career ending injury – in the pro game.

What’s more, the Knowle 24-year-old is a very nice individual. Because of his background, Norman could be scarred and surly. Yet he is a gentleman, a fine ambassador for the sport.

Just one hour before his comeback bout at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on Friday, the light-welter - hands wrapped and ready for warfare – spotted me struggling to purchase a drink, waded in and offered to get this parched pensioner a water.

That’s a measure of the man.

After nine months out following surgery to repair a severe tear to the cartilage encasing his hip, Norman came back with a six rounds points win over experienced Canning Town southpaw Lee Hallett, a 37-year-old within touching distance of 100 fights.

It was the perfect tune-up for bigger things. Hallett was competitive, made Norman work and landed shots the Warwickshire prospect felt.

Referee Kevin Parker gave the Londoner a share of a round – the third, on my card – and scored the contest 60-55. I had it the same.

Norman, unbeaten in 10 and with a big following, is now ready to take a step-up and is in the mix for area title fights.

There is still work to be done by his team at Eastside gym, however. Dylan is aggressive, exciting and works the body well, but can stay at close quarters too long after unloading. His defence also needs tightening.

But he will benefit from the rounds with Hallett, who always looked to repay the compliment when caught. He more than played his part in an entertaining bout.

And some of Hallett’s shots made Norman (10st 2lbs) take a step back and re-group. Against the ropes, Lee (10st 4lbs) unleashed a body shot and two rights to the head in the third, a round when he attempted to fight fire with fire.

With only seconds remaining, a left hook steadied the home favourite.

But Dylan dominated for long periods and harpooned Hallett with his signature shot, a whipping left hook under the elbow.

After easing himself into the battle in the first, Norman upped the tempo and began drilling home hooks to the ribs.

He bulled Hallett to the ropes in the fourth, slammed home shots to the body before taking a left. The visitor attempted to keep things at long range in the fifth before being blasted by body shots. He did land one heavy left downstairs, although Norman bossed the round.

Dylan blazed away in the last to seal a wide victory. He was made to work for it and any ring-rust gathered during his enforced lay-off was shed during a fast-paced encounter.