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Gary Shaw watches the local prospects secure victories

LIVERPOOL NOVEMBER 5 ★★★★★ WHOLE SHOW ★★★★★ ATMOSPHERE

DOWN to just four contests midweek, Steve Wood pulled together two more to ensure his VIP Promotions show at Liverpool Olympia on Friday (November 5) went ahead, almost as planned, with six bouts featuring local stars. In the headliner, Southport light-heavyweight,

Jake Barton, survived an early scare after late French replacement, Mohamed Cherif

Benchadi – whose effort and attitude should see him feature regularly in Britain in the future - dropped him for an eight-count following an exciting exchange in the first. Never really troubled however, Barton won an absorbing encounter 58-56 on Darren Sarginson’s card.

Having his first contest since February 2020, super-flyweight Connor Butler dominated his six-rounder against Manchester’s Steve

Jackson, winning 60-54 on Jamie Kirkpatrick’s card. Energetic throughout but composed when required, Butler is one to watch. In September, Skelmersdale’s popular

Tom Aitchison outscored Ukraine’s Vitaly Maksyymiv 59-56 here and this return saw him improve on that result with a fast-paced 60-54 win on Mr Sarginson’s card. This contest was preceded by ’10 bells’ for former 1980s/90s pro, and Rotunda ABC amateur star, Neil Foran, who sadly passed away recently.

Middle Sean Arkwright looked focused and determined with a 40-36 win against veteran,

Kevin Mccauley, who was having his 243rd pro contest. Mr Kirkpatrick refereed. Performance of the night was arguably Brian Phillips’ 40-36 win over durable Lithuanian,

Simas Volosinas. Returning after a close, 10-round loss as the away fighter in Leeds, Phillips started fast and his pace never relented. He calmly requested what would be an exciting contest against Michael Gomez Jnr afterwards. Mr Sarginson refereed.

Local southpaw Bryan Collins powered his way to a 40-36 win on his delayed debut against Birmingham’s Josh Hodgins who was never really in it. Mr Kirkpatrick refereed.