Boxing: Reid takes hard road to victory

Robin Reid knew it would be hard, knew it would be long and after 12 gruelling but unspectacular rounds he retained his World Boxing Federation super-middleweight title on points against Julio Cesar Vasquez at Coventry's Skydome last night.

Reid, 30, was always that bit faster but it required all of the ring skill he had acquired during his nine-year career to leave the ring as winner and still champion. Vasquez, a veteran at 35, lost for just the fourth time in 67 fights.

Reid experimented with switching styles to the southpaw stance and he was able to stay in control until the final bell. All three judges voted heavily in his favour by margins of five rounds, six rounds and four rounds, which left a relieved but contented look on his face.