Haigh makes light of eight-round step up

MACCLESFIELD boxer Jake Haigh kept up the perfect start to his professional career after a points win over experienced Edgars Sniedze on Saturday.

Haigh was competing in the first eight-round contest of his professional career, but the longer distance didn’t faze him, as he comfortably won every round on course to a 80-70 win at Kings Hall in Stoke-on-Trent.

Sniedze had two points deducted for holding in the fight, but Haigh was dominant throughout and the win saw him extend his unbeaten record to 9-0, with three of his wins coming by stoppage.

It was his second victory in quick succession, following on from his points win against previously unbeaten Jarrett Doherty at the Village Hotel in Bury last month.

Haigh was delighted with his win after the fight, saying: “It was a good fight. I got the win and won every round. Thanks to the team of Blain Younis, Mike Jackson and Ricky Hatton.”

Haigh is part of an exciting stable under former world champion Hatton, as he also trains alongside fellow unbeaten prospects Mark Heffron and Nathan Gorman, who are both signed with promoter Frank Warren.

Other fights on the bill in Stoke saw unbeaten super lightweight prospect Kieran McLaren make it 12-0 in his professional career with an eight round points win against Fonz Alexander.

Light heavyweight Luke Caci also maintained his unbeaten record, defeating Chris Dutton 78-74 on points after eight rounds to move to 5-0 in the paid ranks.

Featherweight Leon Gower put in an impressive performance, as he stopped Dmitrijs Gutmans after just 2:50 of the first round to extend his unbeaten record to 5-0, with three of those wins coming by knockout.