Sowe survives scare to outpoint the Monk

Elliott Sowe after his bruising battle with Dan Booth on Saturday

TYSELEY rail worker Elliott Sowe came perilously close to being derailed by “The Monk” on Saturday night.

And you have to praise the light-middle for the courage he showed to survive a heavy knockdown and find a way to beat Dan “The Monk” Booth.

It was close, with referee Chris Dean scoring the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, four rounder 38-37.

I warned before the contest that Manchester’s Booth can be a handful – and so it proved.

Sowe, having his first fight in eight months after suffering a hand injury, was put flat on his back by a big right in the second.

This was no flash knockdown. He rose at four and lurched into his own corner. The 26-year-old was dazed and Mr Dean could well have ended matters after Sowe twice failed to respond when the ref told him to step forward.

He finally answered the command and fiddled and held until the bell came to his rescue. After that, Sowe (10st 13lbs) kept exchanges at distance, while Booth (11st 4lbs) spent too long trying to set-up another power-laden single shot.

Before the bout, Elliott, trained at Birmingham’s D&A gym, promised to showcase the boxing skills he’s been working on.

He started well, working behind a long jab which he doubled and trebled. Interestingly, I noted in the first round: “Sowe is getting drawn into a scrap.”

The desire for a tear-up is strong in Sowe.

Booth, gloves high, gave a warning of the drama to come by landing two left hooks.

Sowe began the second with two solid rights to head and body – then came that wrecking ball right that sent him sprawling.

He gamely fought back in the third as Booth prowled in search of another pay-off punch. He landed two rights and a left downstairs in the final round, but was being outworked.

Sowe ended the contest with a flurry, letting both hands go to head and body in the last 20 seconds.

He had not only survived the storm, he had sealed his eighth win in 10 outings.

Elliott has the ring nickname “Courage”. It’s fitting – that’s what pulled him through on Saturday night.