Boxer Otis Grant continues comeback with points win over Porras
Canadian Press, Sunday, December 12, 2004

PHOTO: ALLEN McINNIS

"MONTREAL (CP) - Otis Grant continued his march to a world boxing title with a super-middleweight win Saturday over Costa Rica's Henry Porras.

Grant, who will turn 37 on Dec. 23, outpunched Porras to win a 12-round decision that pushed his record to 35-2-1, including 17 knockouts.

"It was easier than I imagined," Grant said. "I knew he was dangerous so I didn't take any risks.

"But I was trying too hard at the beginning. My brother told me to start boxing for real in the fifth round. That's what I did. In the seventh, I knew I had enough in the tank to get to the end of the fight."

Grant, who is ranked in the WBC's top 10, won on cards of 118-110, 118-110 and 116-113.

Promoter Yvon Michel said he believes the win should help the Montreal boxer land a title bout within a year.

"We want to get Otis in a position where the world champion (Markus Beyer) can't avoid him," Michel said. "For that to happen, he (Grant) must stay active. We're thinking about another fight in March."

The bout was Grant's fourth in his comeback after a car accident that sidelined him for nearly five years.

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