McAllister on course for Euro title shot

19 October 2009

By RON FAGG

A STUNNING right hook saw Lee McAllister knock Charlie King clean out to retain the Commonwealth lightweight title in Aberdeen.

McAllister, 27, dominated the fight’s six-and-a-half rounds, but King had stood up well until he was caught by a hammer blow in the seventh and collapsed against the ropes.

It was an impressive performance from McAllister, who won the title in June when he beat Godfriend Sowah and may now earn a crack at the European crown.

McAllister, who has now won 30 of his 32 bouts, was a firm favourite against an opponent who had never boxed over 12 rounds and only once over ten.

In an otherwise even opener at the Beach Ballroom, McAllister landed one or two telling blows which King appeared to take well. The champion continued to pick holes in King’s defence, but unwisely began taunting his opponent as early as the second.

King refused to be provoked in a cagey third round before the fight exploded into life in the next, McAllister rocking the 26-year-old back more than once with powerful lefts.

King responded on the counter, but continued to be caught in the fifth and sixth. And the fight was over early in the next, this time a magnificent right from McAllister knocking out King.

McAllister admitted he had taken a while to get going, saying: “I took my time. I didn’t have the zip about me.I got myself warmed up about the sixth round.”

Of his knockout blow, he added: “If my right connects with anyone, I’m banging them out, no matter who they are.” He also had words of praise for King, saying: “He’s from the steel city of Motherwell and he’s as hard as steel.” The fight was broadcast live on the internet on www.110sport.tv and promoter Tommy Gilmour was delighted with the initiative. He said: “We’ll certainly be able to bring the bigger and better fights here to Aberdeen."