Boxing: Oakey's fitness the decisive factor

It was as hard and close as expected and when the final bell sounded after 12 rounds Tony Oakey had delighted his faithful followers and retained his World Boxing Union light-welterweight on points over Neil Simpson at the Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth, on Saturday night.

Oakey had started slowly and never took control of the gruelling fight until round nine but from then until the final bell his fitness was the decisive factor and he was able to outwork the former British champion Simpson and take a tight but deserved unanimous verdict.

"It was not my best performance but I knew that I was fitter and stronger and that was enough in the end," said Oakey, who is now unbeaten in 16 fights.

Oakey now wants a fight with former British and European light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods, who is also the number one contender for Roy Jones's four world light-heavyweight titles.