WHILE Amir Khan -the boxer he once defeated - was clinching a world title in Manchester, former Dagenham BC amateur Bobby Ward was putting the first win on his pro-record in a contest at York Hall, in Bethnal Green. The former schoolboy rivals, now 22-yea

WHILE Amir Khan -the boxer he once defeated - was clinching a world title in Manchester, former Dagenham BC amateur Bobby Ward was putting the first win on his pro-record in a contest at York Hall, in Bethnal Green.

The former schoolboy rivals, now 22-year-olds, who scored one win each in their two amateur meetings a decade ago, both recorded good points victories in their latest ring appearances.

Khan's victory over Andreas Kotelnik climaxed his rise to stardom that included the silver medal he claimed in the Athens Olympic Games, while Dagenham youngster Ward took a five-year break from boxing.

However, after a controversial draw in his debut at Wigan a month earlier, Ward was happy to record win number one beating experienced Birmi-ngham campaigner Sid Razak.

It was a good performance, as he won every round against an opponent, who tested former British champion Martin Power less than three weeks earlier.

Ward, nicknamed 'Boogaloo' after the famous American middleweight Bobby Watts, punched just too fast and too often for seasoned campaigner Razak, switching his attack from body to head throughout the contest.

He shook his rival more than once with powerful left hooks, but the battle-hardened Midlander, who has earned a reputation for durability in his eight-year paid career, survived the full distance.

At the final bell, referee Mark Green scored Ward the winner of every round.

"It was good to see Bobby get the verdict he deserved this time - after the referee in Wigan was the only person who thought his rival deserved a draw in his debut," said his trainer Tony Sims.

The winner will stay in training with his third contest looking likely to be on September 5 at the Alexandra Palace in north London.