RESILIENT RYAN

Gareth Jones sees Wheeler get up off the deck to outpoint Martinez FROME southpaw Ryan Wheeler had the fright of his fighting life at Ashton Gate (Sanigar Events) against Barcelona-based Mexican

Giovanny Martínez. The wildswinging visitor caught the unbeaten Wheeler with a left in the opener, before a repeat performance in the second sent him crashing beneath the ropes.

kept on the move until the bell, setting the pattern for the rest of the eight-rounder, with an increasingly frustrated foe trying to pin him down. Martínez occasionally landed, but without the solid impact of the knockdown blow. Wheeler nipped in and out to secure a 77-75 verdict from referee Lee Every.

Two six-rounders saw local prospects extend their winning records. Bristolian Tim Cutler had his work cut out before gaining a 60-56 decision against the combative Lee Connelly, from Killamarsh. Lee Cook officiated. Things were easier for Tauntonpole Pawel August, who hurt Southampton’s Richard O’connor in the first, forced him to take a knee in the second and finished it in the third. Mr Cook stepped in at 1-12.

The four-rounders brought points successes for three hometown heroes. The improving

Aaron Sutton prevailed (40-36 for Mr Every) over Islington’s Jordan Grannum, the same official seeing

Sam Smythe 39-37 ahead of Southwark-italian Victor Edagha, while Tyler Davies beat Reading rover Ibrar Riyaz 40-37 for Mr Cook. Riyaz was seconded by 85-year-old Jim Evans, appearing in a corner for the final time after 74 years in the sport.

At the other end of his timeline, debutant Said Eltuyev, a Chechen refugee raised in Swindon, won 39-37 (Mr Cook) against Driffield’s

Danny Little. Exeter crowd-pleaser

Faheem Khan had the same margin over Wigston trier Michael Williams, and Weston-superryan Mare’s Liam Hunt beat Duane Grant, from Oldbury, 40-36, both overseen by Mr Every.

THE VERDICT Wheeler shows coolness following his firstever trip to the canvas.