Gould given perfect tune-up for title fight

Liam Gould presses Irving on way to win. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

FOR Coseley’s Liam Gould, another title opportunity awaits. He and veteran Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards will meet for the vacant Midlands welter belt.

With the date and venue yet to be announced, Gould was given the perfect tune-up by Jensen Irving over four rounds at Dudley Town Hall last night (Friday).

The Swindon 35-year-old was competitive throughout, made Gould work and, in my book, deserved a little more than he got from referee Ryan Churchill. He scored it a 40-36 shut-out for 26-year-old Liam.

I had it 39-37, with 35-year-old Irving taking the second. Liam won beyond argument – that can’t be denied.

For Gould (11st 2lbs), it was a triumphant return after last April’s one round loss to big punching Ben Vaughan for Midlands title – his only dent in an eight fight career.

He’s been well schooled by dad Jimmy, looked sharp against Irving, but there were times – particularly in the third – where he needed to up the gears.

Gould began brightly with stiff jabs and, by the second, was working the body. Irving (11st 5lbs) showed a lot of savvy, his left lead smooth and successful in the third.

He also landed a neat left hook in the last before Gould forced him back and unloaded with both hands. That final session was very much a round of two halves.

It wasn’t the best I’ve seen Gould perform. But, then, Irving was there to help him again reach his best – to that end, he did his job perfectly.