Steed’s back with a points win in Poland

Woodall and his Eastside team celebrate win over Crighton

IN the unlikely setting of Rzeszow, Poland, former superb amateur Steed Woodall served notice to Britain’s best at light-heavy and super-middle that he’s back in business.

Woodall widely outpointed big punching Scot Boris Crighton last night (Saturday) over eight rounds – his first competitive action for nine months. All three judges scored 77-75.

It was a gamble for a Birmingham boxer who had seen only one round of competitive action since October, 2021. Crighton, who has lost only two of 13, can bang, with seven opponents despatched inside-distance.

But the gamble paid off. Now Steed’s Eastside gym team will be looking to gain major title fights for the 29-year-old.

The Boxxer bill in Poland breathed new life into a career that appeared to be flagging.

Before the bout, Paul “Soggy” Counihan – in Woodall’s corner on the night – said: “I’ve had Steed since he was 12. Since he’s been back here, he’s hardly been active at all. He was with Frank Warren and that didn’t play out well, then he broke his leg…

“He’s had two fights. We’ve sat down and I’ve said that’s nowhere near good enough. Last year we got offered Dan Azeez, said yes, but nothing came of it. People may look at him and think it’s too much of a gamble.

“I think he can still make it, everyone at Eastside thinks he can still make it. Ideally, I’d like him to fight at super-middle, but we’ll take anyone at light-heavy.”

Woodall, an outstanding, Eastside amateur who reached the quarter-finals of the worlds, has an interesting cover story as a pro.

He actually “turned over” in America back in 2014 and made his mark. Steed lost only one of 17 – and that came against world class Steve Rolls in a bid for the North American title.

Since returning to Birmingham from the States, where he had his last fight in 2017, the pickings have been slim: one bout at Villa’s Holte Suite, another at Planet Ice, Solihull. A combined five rounds.

In Poland on Saturday night, Woodall got his career back on track. Hopefully, much bigger things now beckon.

The Stallion is on a stampede for titles.