Mullins pleased to see off 'slippy' rival (From Swindon Advertiser)

Mullins pleased to see off 'slippy' rival

7:20am Monday 3rd October 2011 in Boxing By Ned Payne

STEVE Mullins outpointed Bobby Wood at the Oasis on Friday and then claimed that his first-ever bout in the pro ranks was a better experience than any of his amateur fights.

Ex-Penhill man Mullins, who according to boxing legend once broke the jaw of James DeGale, was a convincing 40-36 winner against the durable Walsall man and was relatively content with his performance on his return to the ring.

“It’s been six years since I last boxed and I was totally ring-rusty, but I really, really enjoyed that,” said Mullins.

“The buzz of the crowd - I’ve missed it. I had my first competitive contest when I was 11 and I don’t think it ever leaves you.

“I got back in the ring and I thought, ‘ here we go again’, it was so familiar.

“Obviously I didn’t have the headguard and the vest, but I enjoyed that more than the amateurs I think.”

The Witney-based fighter, who fights under the name Marvin Mullins, clearly progressed greater punching power than his opponent and was a worthy victor, but he admitted facing a southpaw on his comeback had given him a tricky task.

“I would have liked an orthodox boxer so cheers for that Keith Mayo (promoter),” joked Mullins.

“There’s an old saying that they should drown all southpaws at birth, and after tonight I agree with them.

“He was a bit slippy and I felt off-balance when I was boxing him, so it wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination, it was hard-fought.

“I must have done 100 rounds with Kelvin (Young), although he battered me through all of them, but fitness-wise I shouldn’t have a problem.

“I felt like I had a lot left in the tank but couldn’t get it out. To be totally honest, I thought I would stop him, but I’m pleased with the win and can’t wait for the next one now.”

Mullins is scheduled to fight on Saturday, December 3 at the Olympiad in Chippenham, and Young is also expected to be on that card.