MARTIN Power failed in his ambition to secure a Lonsdale belt as he crashed to defeat against reigning British bantamweight champ Ian Napa at Newham Leisure Centre last weekend. In a rematch of their 2005 clash, the two fighters went toe-to-toe for

MARTIN Power failed in his ambition to secure a Lonsdale belt as he crashed to defeat against reigning British bantamweight champ Ian Napa at Newham Leisure Centre last weekend.

In a rematch of their 2005 clash, the two fighters went toe-to-toe for twelve rounds, taking the contest all the way to the judges' decision.

But Power, who took a split verdict last time around, was deemed inferior this time as Napa won unanimously 117-112 and 117-111 (twice) on the scorecards.

Power looked strong in the early stages, testing his opponent with quick combinations and showing a steely determination to prove his worth after two successive defeats to Commonwealth champion Tshifhiwa Munyai.

However, the Camden fighter was gradually picked off by a series of sharp jabs and by Napa's energy-sapping assault on his body.

With his shorter opponent on course for victory, Power made a dogfight of it in the final round, exhausting every ounce of strength to try to knock Napa to the canvas.

But the judges awarded the fight to the title-holder and, on reflection, may now have ended the future boxing ambitions of the ex-St Pancras star whose record now reads 19 wins (8KO) and three defeats.

TONY Salam, the unbeaten former Camden Kronk star, had a young lady on his mind when he pummelled Carl Wild at the Newham Leisure Centre last Friday.

The win was Salam's seventh in a 12- month professional career and came hot on the heels of his victory over former Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Ovill McKenzie.

But it's not winning that motivates the sports science student; rather it's his young daughter.

"Boxing is all about my daughter Temi who's now one year and seven months old," said Salam, who moved to London from Nigeria in 2002.

"I want her to have a good life. Right now it is all about me and my daughter."

Salam was awarded the victory on Friday when his Sheffield-based opponent was unable to answer the bell in the fourth round.

Salam had dominated the first two of six scheduled rounds before stepping it up in the pivotal third stanza.

Brimming with confidence, he announced afterwards that he never doubted his ability to win the clash.

"I was just playing with the guy in the first two rounds. I was in control all of the time and wrapped it up in the third," he said.

"I am not like other fighters. I know what I am doing, but earlier [in my career] there were some people who doubted by ability."

Salam is confident his boxing skills will bring the glory he craves.

"I am looking to fight for a title before the end of the boxing season, which finishes in July," he said.

"I know there are good fighters like Tony Oakey and Amir Khan in the light-heavyweight division but I am going to be coming at them with a different boxing style."

One person who never doubted Salam's ability was his former manager James Oyebola, who was murdered earlier this year.

Salam has since signed with Frank Maloney and has shown his fondness for his late mentor by paying the manager's percentage to Oyebola's family.

"James always believed in me and said I could be a champion. He was like an uncle to me, always taking the time to advise me," said Salam.

Salam has already begun training for his next fight in February and has a tilt at the Commonwealth belt on the cards this season.

"I am ready," he said, assertively. "By the end of next season I could be a world champ.