Boxing: Lee McAllister makes hard work of win

LEE McALLISTER'S second defence of his Commonwealth lightweight boxing title might not have been sparkling but it will do him the world of good, according to his manager and promoter Tommy Gilmour.

The Aberdeen Assassin made hard work of his fight against the awkward Ghanaian Samuel Amoako at Glasgow's Bellahouston Leisure Centre.

The 27-year-old was strangely tentative throughout the fight, performing only in bursts, but that was enough to nick enough rounds to record a 116-112, 117-112, 117-112 victory on the judges scorecards.

But he declared himself unhappy with his performance afterwards saying: "The real Lee McAllister didn't turn up."

However, Gilmour preferred to look at the bigger picture. He said: "In the past when he was very praiseworthy of himself, I took a different view so again we are disagreeing.

"He didn't knock his opponent out – so what?

"I think he did very well against a guy who was much better schooled than most.

"He came with a bit of skill as well as heart and fitness which is why Lee couldn't take too many chances."