Light heavyweight Mark Simms was the big winner at Bicester ABC’s annual show at the King’s Centre, Oxford.

The former Oxford City and Abingdon United striker beat Gloucester’s Andrian Keras in front of a sell-out crowd of over 1,000 in his third appearance for Bicester.

Keras had the advantage in both height and weight, but struggled to deal with his opponent’s superior speed and movement as Simms gained the upper hand towards the end of the first round.

The second round was another close affair, but the best punch came from Simms.

  • Sport

Latest Sport news

A jab to the body set up a superb looping right cross which connected cleanly on Keras’ chin.

Keras wobbled badly agai-nst the ropes and looked as though he was about to fall, only for the bell to sound and save him from further punishment.

Simms upped the ante in the third round, throwing three-and-four-punch combinations.

The referee scored the contest 30-27 in favour of Simms, with the Bicester man winning every round.

“I have played football at a good standard, but boxing is definitely the hardest sport I’ve ever done,” said Simms.

There was also a victory for Bicester’s John Moore, who won 29-28 on points against Daniel White of Brighton Meanwhile, Oxfordshire rivals Terry Russell and Artur Gorka are preparing for the biggest showdown of their careers later this month when the pair collide in the Queensbury League.

Russell, 21, from Wantage, will face Oxford-based Pole Gorka, 24, for the national super middleweight title at Epsom Downs Racecourse on October 25.

Russell is in fine form after a career best performance in his last fight to edge out national champion Freddie Yemofio.

But Gorka had a crushing victory over former title challenger Rossco Parker at the Alexandra Palace in March.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.