Jai body shots make for an exciting debut

Sohal works the body of Cummings. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

ON the evidence of his Saturday debut, Jai Sohal’s pro journey will be an exciting one.

The Wolverhampton light-middle – a convert from Muay Thai - certainly served up one of the best bouts on BCB’s Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton, show – a thoroughly entertaining four rounder with experienced journeyman Paul Cummings.

Sohal took every round – 40-36 on referee Ryan Churchill’s card, but was made to battle for the win.

And credit must be given to tall Cummings, a Wiltshire veteran of over 100 bouts, for his defiant stand. Paul was much more aggressive than I’ve seen in recent outings, banging back in close and even bloodying Sohal’s nose.

He fought hard because 23-year-old Jai, from Gavin Burrows’ Trojan gym, made him fight hard. In the face of a relentless body attack, Cummings couldn’t merely cover up on the ropes – he had to fight fire with fire or be hurt.

For Sohal, it was very much a fight of two halves, although he was always in the driving seat. In the first two rounds, the newcomer dazzled with left jabs quickly turned into left hooks downstairs. A whipping right uppercut sent blood spilling from Cummings and Sohal worked both flanks in the second.

But Jai lost the distance that had worked so well for him as the bout wore on and, as a result, Cummings was able to exchange body-shots at close range.

The visitor was under pressure in the last, yet still doggedly hit back in the closing sessions.

There’s no doubt Paul felt those rib-bending lefts  – he rubbed his reddened side at the finish – and Sohal’s work to the midriff was excellent. Yet Cummings saw it through, making sure Sohal grafted for his first success.

Jai brought out the warrior in Cummings. He should take that as a compliment.