Sheffield boxers lose - but destiny is still in their own hands

Both men will have stories they will be able to tell their grandchildren.
Tommy Langford celebrates victory over  Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship bout at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. PicL Nick Potts/PA WireTommy Langford celebrates victory over  Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship bout at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. PicL Nick Potts/PA Wire
Tommy Langford celebrates victory over Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship bout at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. PicL Nick Potts/PA Wire

Sam Sheedy will roll back the years to tell of the Saturday night he fought for the famous Lonsdale belt on a show broadcast all over the world.

Liam Cameron can relate the extraordinary tale of how he flew 10,000 miles to compete for the Commonwealth title in Australia, facing a partisan and at times unpleasant opposition camp.

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Stirring, emotional accounts with one thing in common: a regret that, ultimately, neither noble fighter brought back their much-treasured prize to Sheffield.

There will be pride, and some regrets. Cameron’s defensive display was pretty water-tight but lacked offensive ambition. Sheedy came on strong when it was too late, in two of the thee judge’s eyes, anyway.

However, both boxers have something else in common too.

Cameron is aged 26. Sheedy two years older - they still have time to write their destiny and provide new material to tell future generations.

Tommy Langford (right) and Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship boutTommy Langford (right) and Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship bout
Tommy Langford (right) and Sam Sheedy during the Vacant British Middleweight Championship bout

On Friday, as The Star reported, Cameron went the distance with a high-quality opponent who deserved the win. The Manor Park super-middlewight took it badly saying: “Well I did my best (but) lost a close, hard fight, majority decsion to Zac Dunn (22 wins 18 kos and IBO world champion.) I went half way across the world and gave him a hell of a fight am - I’m sorry let my family down as I needed the win.”

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Southpaw Sheedy, having been outpointed by Tommy Langford, posted on Facebook: “I’m absolutely gutted. I tried my absolute best. I learned so much in that fight. Thanks so much to all of Sheffield for getting behind me. I love lot of you, I’m crying now hahaha.”

Wisewood’s 7/1 outsider failed to impose himself on the taller, orthodox Devon man in the early rounds.

Things started to change. Sheedy stopped some of the showboating he loves and got down to work. At the end of the sixth, Langford’s corner told him he had “lost his flow.” In the seventh Sheedy grew further in confidence as he landed some hard lefts.

Liam Cameron and Zac DunnLiam Cameron and Zac Dunn
Liam Cameron and Zac Dunn

Both fighters were exhausted, facially-marked, and missing too often with their punches, but you got the impression that the Sheffielder was staying the course longer. However Langford’s earlier dominance gave him a split 117-113, 113-115, 116-114 win on the cards.