By Terence Dooley

Liverpool - Cardiff’s Gary “Dynamo” Buckland (9st 12lbs 4oz) was due to meet Scotty Cardle for the British lightweight title tonight only to see the fight go down the pan when Cardle pulled out due to an injury late last week.

Buckland, a former British titlist, met Liverpool’s late replacement Sean “Masher” Dodd (9st 11lbs 4oz) in a scheduled 10-threes that had been pencilled in as an eight rounder the previous day.

The experienced 29-year-old was far too open early on, motoring forward despite taking too many of his 31-year-old opponent’s well-picked counters.

It became a case of an immovable object meeting an irresistible force as the fight progressed, with Dodd punch picking to perfection at times during an impressive fifth round for the local fighter.

Despite Buckland’s attempts to dredge up a winning performance, Dodd stayed a step ahead throughout the fight—looking the more accomplished boxer and threading through neat shots.

Buckland probably felt it was a case of easing past this one to his British title shot only for Dodd to snatch that opportunity away from him courtesy of a 95-97 decision win.  The Welshman falls to (30-7, 10 KOs).  Dodd is now 10-1 (2).

The winner will vie for the title in November; Buckland looks a long way short of his best form and must be asking himself where he goes next.