Haroon's hard luck in Liverpool

2:53pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

BOXING: HAROON Khan was again at the centre of a controversial decision on Merseyside when he lost for the third time to James Dickenson at Everton Park Leisure Centre.

Haroon, younger brother of Bolton star Amir, lost the North-west Junior ABA finals by 5-2.

The 16-year-old suffered a similar setback earlier in the winter when he lost for the second time to the Merseyside champion, but looked on course for a win this time when he led 2-1 at the end of the second round.

In the dying minute, however, the judges awarded four points to his opponent, leaving Haroon's hopes of winning a national title in tatters.

Bury Boxing Club coach Mick Jelley questioned the computerised judging system, whereby a button has to be pressed within a certain time frame for a point to be scored.

"I couldn't see how the other kid scored four points in the last minute," Jelley said. "Haroon won the fight but there is nothing you can do about it.

"I am completely lost over the scoring and many of the coaches feel the same way.

"There were many distorted results on the night."

Bury's other fighter Louis Allen lost by 9-1 but gave a much better display than the score suggests against National Lads Club champion Steve Lewis.

Haroon faces another stern test at the weekend in Northern Ireland when he takes on tough opponent Andrew Watson from the Phoenix Boxing Club, in Lurgan, County Armagh.

He is an Irish champion and the two fought in June last year when Haroon won by a narrow margin.

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