IT was a fight that was branded as a mismatch by fans. And, unfortunately for Eastleigh’s Sam Gale. it proved just that when he fought Richard Walker in a preliminary bout of Southampton’s Hardest Man tournament.

A packed Exile Gym in Shirley watched with high expectations of a competitive bout – but it proved anything but.

Straight after the fighters touched gloves, Gale felt the full force of Walker’s attacking repertoire as a thudding shin kick forced him backwards – followed by a forceful left hook into the cheek of the 19-year-old.

Gale seemed stunned and, before he could gather his senses, Walker went in for the kill, pulled Gale to the ground and forced him to submit in a rear choke hold. The fight lasted barely thirty seconds and Walker had not even broken a sweat. Gale looked shellshocked afterwards as organiser Will Martin praised both fighters – but advised Gale to show more commitment to martial arts – and improve his diet.

Gale said: “I just made a mistake really. I know Richard has an awesome ground game. I have a lot of respect for him for allowing me to fight him.”

Walker meanwhile dismissed his victory as routine and said: “No disrespect to Sam but I do this all the time.”

The final tournament looks set to take place in October in a new venue yet to be confirmed.