LEE McAllister has successfully defended his Commonwealth Lightweight Championship.

McAllister claimed a unanimous points triumph over spirited, but limited, Ghanaian Samuel Amoako at the Bellahouston Leisure Centre in Glasgow.

With superior movement and speed and a left jab that Amoako could not find an answer to, McAllister produced a solid performance as he dominated from the first bell. It was no surprise when he got the decision by 116-112, 117-112, 117-112 margins.

However, despite the easy victory, McAllister was furious with his own efforts. He said: “That wasn’t five per cent of Lee McAllister and I’m very disappointed with myself."

“On behalf of the paying public and viewers at home I would like to apologise for my performance. There was no snap, it was very flat and I have no excuses as I was fit, ready and the preparation had gone well.

“It was very below par after my last two performances, which were awesome.

“I struck poor Charlie King’s (who he beat in his first defence) head in the North Sea and that’s what I should’ve done to this kid. He wasn’t in the same league as Charlie King and Charlie would’ve beaten him easily.

“The positives are that I went 12 rounds without getting out of breath and it was easy, but only first gear all the way.

“I’m not being hard on myself as I know what I’m capable of and if I’d boxed well I would be smiling.

“I need to get another performance to prove that I can actually fight and any win is a good win but it’s back to the drawing board.”

This was the first time a boxer from Aberdeen had headlined a major show in Glasgow but defending champion McAllister, who was making his second defence of his belt that he won last June, was still backed by a large crowd.

The charismatic McAllister, with three red stripes in his hair, got the crowd on their feet by walking in to The Proclaimers' track 500 miles and his supporters were hoping to continue the party shortly afterwards.

McAllister, with 30 victories from his 32 professional contests, weighed in three pounds heavier than Ghanaian Champion Amoako, who had only lost once in 21.

The opening three minutes were quiet as both boxers looked to suss out their opponent but there was a ripple of applause in the second as McAllister began to find his range.

Amoako was happy to box on the back foot in the opening couple of rounds waiting for a mistake from the Scottish boxer.

McAllister began the third by pumping single left jabs into Amoako's face with little coming back from the African, who was then warned for hitting on the break. But a flurry of punches from McAllister in the same round forced Amoako, who had so far offered little, back on to the ropes.

It had been a disappointing start for the highly-rated Amoako as McAllister continued to work the left jab to deny his opponent gaining any momentum. After four rounds, only the harshest of judges would have given any rounds against the Scot.

The pattern of the fight continued in the fifth as a chopping-down right from McAllister found its target, quickly followed by a powerful left as McAllister's manager Tommy Gilmour was on his feet. It was a hugely impressive opening from McAllister, although Amoako was still in the contest and still looking in good condition.

The sixth was closer than some of the previous rounds but Amoako was still not doing enough to catch the attention of the ringside judges.

The seventh and eighth was more of the same with the Ghanaian challenger needing to fins something sensational in the last four rounds if he was to wrestle the title away from the Aberdeen man.

This contest was McAllister's to lose as Amoako's corner were working to try to inspire their man, who was looking out of his depth as McAllister's jab was continuing to do damage.

But Amoako, who has never been stopped, was certainly durable and showing a great deal of heart to stay on his feet but would still need an amazing attack in the final six minutes. In did not materalise as the decision went to the judges scorecards.

The fight of the night came in the chief support clash between David Savage and Gavin Reid for the vacant Scottish Super-Bantamweight Championship.

Savage claimed a points victory by 97-94 but had to work hard against a brave and courageous opponent.

Undefeated Savage, who has now won all ten of his professional contests, made a bright start to the ten-round fight with a series of left hooks along with good work to the body.

Reid appeared to be in trouble in the seventh when a left hook, followed by a sustained attack, saw his fans on their feet sensing victory. However, Reid, although staggering around the ring, managed to survive the round and actually ended the fight the stronger, but it was not enough to claim the title.

Gary McArthur, who had reached the semi-finals of Matchroom Sport’s Prizefighter Lightweights competition before a cut ended his hopes, was in involved in a hard-fought eight-round tussle with Ryan Barrett, a former English Super-Featherweight Champion.

McArthur got a controversial 78-76 win, although Barrett was furious with the decision and threw his mouthguard on to the canvas in disgust at the verdict.

Elsewhere, Steven McGuire dominated his cruiserweight contest with Hastings Rasani and won every round to seal a 60-54 triumph.

Tough Londoner Marc Callaghan lost against an impressive, hard-working Josh Wale in their super-bantamweight fight. Callaghan sustained a deep cut on the side of head in the third but bravely fought on for two rounds before retiring at the end of the fourth.

One of the best performances of the night came from light-middleweight Kris Carslaw. A right to the head followed quickly by a shuddering left hook sent opponent Darren Gethin to the canvas in the opening seconds of the third. Gethin managed to hear the final bell but Carslaw, who now moves to 8-0, gained a 60-53 victory after some impressive, relentless body work.

Youngsters Jamie McLevy (welterweight) and Paul McElhinney (super-bantamweight) maintained their undefeated records with points successes from their four-round clashes with Daryl Setterfield and Michael O’Gara respectively.

Matchroom Sport Boxing
Friday, January 29.
All fights are subject to change.
12 x 3 mins - Commonwealth Lightweight Championship
Lee McAllister (Aberdeen) bt Samuel Amoako (Ghana) - UD PTS - 116-112, 117-112, 117-112

10 x 3 mins - Vacant Scottish Super-Bantamweight Championship
David Savage (Scotstoun) bt Gavin Reid (Aberdeen / Redcar) - PTS 97-94

8 x 3 mins - Light-welterweight contest
Gary McArthur (Clydebank) bt Ryan Barrett (Thamesmead) - PTS 78-76

6 x 3 mins - Super-middleweight contest
Kris Carslaw (Paisley) bt Darren Gethin (Walsall) - PTS 60-53

6 x 3 mins - Super-bantamweight contest
Josh Wale (Barnsley) bt Marc Callaghan (Barking, London) - RTD R4

6 x 3 mins - Light-middleweight contest
Jamie McLevy (Whiteinch) bt Darren Setterfield (London) - PTS 40-36

6 x 3 mins - Featherweight contest
Steven McGuire (Glenrothes) bt Hastings Rasani (Birmingham) - PTS 60-54

4 x 3 mins - Super-bantamweight contest
Paul McElhinney (Newlands) bt Michael O'Gara (Middlesbrough) - PTS 39-37

Date updated: January 30, 2010.

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