Temple Mills, England: In the wake of Tom Johnson's retirement, the REC pitted former world champ Ben Bryan and Joe Lashley to determine a successor. Lashley, the younger and fitter of the two, was expected to be victorious but Bryan took a page from Johnson's book.
Though Lashley was more fleet of foot and landed more blows, Bryan landed the harder wallops and used his size to wear his opponent out. After eight hard-fought near-even rounds, Bryan struck a mighty hook to Lashley's chin that laid him down for a five count. The West Indian showed great resiliency and was able to dominate the final rounds as Bryan's legs failed him. A knockdown blow to the former champ in the fourteenth appeared to seal his fate but he hung on to the final bell. The decision was a mildly surprising one awarding Bryan eight of the fifteen rounds thus allowing him to reclaim his world title lost to Johnson in 1800.
OTHER DOINGS:
Lightweight Dutch Sam continued to improve following some early disappointments in the ring. Sam worked a decision over Post Boy Bath and stopped Bull Wadhams cold in eight. The wee lad no sports a record of six wins against only two defeats.
THE RETURN OF BIG BEN