THE game has certainly gained a larger-than-life character in Levi Vaughan – a man with an unusual cover story.
For starters, the tall cruiserweight, who registered his fourth straight win at the King’s Hall, Stoke, on Saturday, has a degree in bio-technology.
“That includes molecular genetics and genetic engineering,” he once told me.
Southpaw Levi worked in cancer research before plunging into pro boxing despite having no amateur background. That is some leap of faith.
And the 27-year-old, from Birmingham, can certainly talk the talk. We will find out if he can walk the walk as rounds and opposition are cranked up.
After outpointing fellow Brummie Leon Mitchell, he told me: “From homelessness to a world top 10 university,” he said. “I’ve got a story like no other boxer.”
The university is Bristol.
“I believe I am going to the top,” he added. “I had no experience, I’ve been learning on the job.
“One more journey (one more four rounder) and I’ve passed the entry level and will move up.”
For tall Vaughan, who stressed his future lies at light-heavy, the bout against sawn-off slugger Mitchell, was a re-run.
The pair fought over four rounds last December, with Vaughan knocking Mitchell down on the way to a 39-36 win.
This time, referee Chris Dean scored 39-37.
There are positives to take from Saturday. Seven months ago, Vaughan (13st 13lbs) flagged in the fight’s second half.
This time he controlled the pace much better against a tough boxer who looked fleshy at 14st 3lbs.
There were also some frustrations. After a dominating first round when Levi really let punches go, he appeared to rely on single shots down the stretch.
That allowed Mitchell to bull forward and attempt to work inside.
The bottom line, however, is Levi won clearly, although denied a points whitewash.
Vaughan started very brightly, spearing Mitchell with long leads and landing crunching lefts.
The rights were sometimes wild, but, by punching in bunches, he denied Leon the time or room to mount an attack.
Mitchell, as he did in their first encounter, kept chugging forward. From the half-way stage, Levi switched to single shots and uncorked a hefty right to the body in the third.
Mitchell (14st 3lbs) took it and, in the final minutes, found the target with his own hooks to the ribs.
