Matthew Marsh faces anxious wait for ruling on weight blunder
Matthew Marsh must wait to learn whether the British Boxing Board of Control will sanction his British title eliminator win over Josh Wale after failing to make the weight limit
By LEN WHALEY
Matthew Marsh expects to receive both good and bad news from the British Boxing Board of Control this week following his
10-round points success over hot prospect Josh Wale at York Hall.
Marsh, from East London's TKO Gym, gave a sharp performance at the Bethnal Green venue on Friday night to overcome his Barnsley rival - but weighed six ounces over the super bantamweight limit.
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The 27-year-old was unable to claim the English title that was supposed to be at stake - and the Board could now impose a penalty for the blunder.
However, the clash was also the eliminator for a British title fight and manager Johnny Eames is confident that Marsh will still get the chance to face the winner of the title clash between Jason Booth and Michael Hunter on October 16.
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"Surely the Board cannot deny Matthew a British title chance for just an extra six ounces," said Eames.
"We accept we made a mistake - the scales Matthew used must have been faulty.
"But I still think he should get the chance against the winner of Booth against Hunter after such a good win over a tough rival."
This latest controversy represents another unexpected turn in a rollercoaster year for Marsh, who began the year as British champion but then surrendered his title and announced his retirement just hours before a scheduled defence of the belt.
His exile from the ring lasted just a few weeks, however, and Marsh celebrated a successful return to the ring on Friday, though the East London fighter did show signs of rust in the early stages.
Wale, a winner of eight of his previous nine fights, opened with effective attacks and moved into an early lead after the opening rounds.
But Marsh gradually started to show his boxing skills as he settled into the contest and took control of the fight with sharp bursts of punches that proved too much for his Yorkshire opponent.
Wale tried hard to turn the fight his way but the TKO Gym fighter was voted a 97-94 points winner by referee Richie Davies at the end of the tough 10-rounder.
