Ochieng stays on course for September shot at British title

Erick ‘The Eagle’ Ochieng warmed up for his British title shot in September with an unspectacular points victory over Simone Lucas in Bolton.

Ochieng kept his opponent – who originally hails from Burundi, but is now based in Nottingham – on the back foot from the start of Saturday’s six-round contest, landing a series of left jabs to the body.

But the Stoke Newington light-middleweight frequently failed to find the target in the second round and was caught on the counter-attack before getting back on track in rounds three and four.

Left jabs and right hooks to the head gave Lucas problems and he was sent to the canvas by a left hook in the fifth, but recovered to survive the final round.

There was little doubt as to the outcome and referee Albert Finch scored the contest 59 points to 54 in Ochieng’s favour, taking the 26-year-old’s professional record to 14 wins and one defeat.

“It was just one of those nights,” Ochieng told the Gazette. “I won and got six rounds in and I am ready for my British title fight.”

Ochieng’s opportunity will come on Saturday September 21, when he faces Liverpool’s Liam Smith for the vacant British championship in Sheffield.

Hackney heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo was withdrawn from his planned comeback fight at York Hall on Saturday due to contractual issues.

Olubamiwo had been due to return to the ring after the British Boxing Board of Control agreed to reduce the four-year ban imposed for taking performance-enhancing drugs.

But, because he remains under contract with Frank Warren Promotions, the Board were unable to issue him with a licence to box on the Olivia Goodwin show.