It was the night of the debut at Rainton Meadows and Chris Grout did not fluff his lines on the big stage.
Three of the eight bouts on the Phil Jeffries-promoted event were first-timers with Newcastle southpaw, James Conlan, and Redcar’s Joe Hill also clinching Ws.
The 28-year-old South Shields cruiserweight had overseas opposition in the shape of Dmitrijs Kalinovskij.
Known as ‘Rambo’, the Lithuanian has made a habit of slaying debutants, but Grout ensured there would be no banana skin.
Kalinovskij had a habit of beckoning the ‘Sand Dancer’ in but Chris did not rise to the bait and go rushing in.
Grout did set the pace, forcing the 6ft 5in Baltic boxer back, landing some good combinations.
There a few rights from Dmitrijs but the East Durham College-based Grout was a worthy 40-36 winner from referee Graeme Williams, much to the delight of coach, Dave Binns.
“I was very happy with Chris,” said Binns. “I rate that big kid.
“I know he’s only won 12 out of 50 but he’s a right handful.
“My lad’s a 20 amateur fight novice, whose gone in with a kid Simon Vallily had to go to points to heart.
“Dmitrijs has been in with eight debutants and knocked five of the buggers out.
“I said to Chris ‘keep your guard up, you can’t rush in against this lad’.
“He was brilliant.”
Words: Roy Kelly
