Royalty collides

Garside and Harrison can’t be split after stirring Area title battle, writes Ashley Ball from ringside

DONCASTER boxing royalty was pitted against each other at the Magna Centre as Joe Garside and Will Harrison put in sterling efforts to become Central Area welterweight champion. Stefy Bull and Jason Cunningham cornered Halifax’s Garside with Maxi Hughes, alongside Reece Mould, and Leeds-based Sean O’hagan were with York man Harrison. In a perfect clash of styles, they could not be split by referee Darren Sarginson as he returned a 95-95 verdict.

Rousing exchanges were the order of the day and this really was a belter. Picking a winner, given they were so evenly-matched, would have come down to a preference between Garside’s infernal pressure and Harrison classy counters.

Sheffield’s Bree Burbeary stepped up to eight rounds against the seasoned Lithuanian Vaida Masiokaite. Her unblemished record was put in jeopardy – but she got the decision 76-75 from John Latham.

Sarginson was back in charge as former British and English title challenger Chad Sugden returned to action for the first time since summer 2022. The Newark man got the victory 60-54 against Czech scrapper Ondrej Budera but suffered a cut – sustained accidentally – on his left eye for his troubles.

Doncaster’s Hughie Wilson’s move up to six rounds seemed to suit him. He could not have timed the win better as he got (almost) six rounds under his belt and a first stoppage against Christchurch’s Stefan Vincent at 2-16 of the final session. Before Latham stepped in, Wilson dropped Vincent with a hefty right.

Undefeated English and Central Area champions Conner Kelsall and Dom Hunt kept busy with non-title fight victories. English flyweight champion Kelsall, from Doncaster, saw off Hull’s Luke Fash, 40-35 for Sarginson. Though he stayed on his feet, Fash lost the second round 10-8. Meanwhile, Wakefield’s Hunt eased to victory over CJ Wood of Middlesbrough, 40-36 from Latham.