Gallagher wants to go for titles after easy victory

PADDY Gallagher says he wants “no more dozers” following his comprehensive points win over Fernando Valencia at the Titanic Exhibition Centre last night.

‘Pat Man’ improved to 15-4 with a 60-54 points win over the rugged Mexican who is now based in Spain.

He landed flush all night, but Valencia took the shots well although it did seem he was on the brink at times.

Gallagher’s overhand hooks worked a treat and he drove lefts to the body to soften up the Mexican.

While he couldn’t find the finish, he was content with his night’s work and insists he wants a major step-up next.

“He’s a Mexican and usually comes forward, so I don’t know what happened him there tonight,” said the west Belfast man.

“He was tough as old boots, but I thought I controlled it well.

“From now on, I want titles. That doesn’t mean a different title every time, but at least win something like a Commonwealth and defend it a few times.”

Sean McComb rounded off a productive 2018 in the pro ranks with a 60-53 points win over Zoltan Szabo in a highly-entertaining light-welterweight contest.

McComb was always several steps ahead and Szabo was down in the fourth from a left before he went to work downstairs.

The home favourite was in control despite Szabo pouring forward and making a fight of it at times and was full value for his win.

Stephen Webb began life in the professional ranks with 40-35 points win over a Rudolf Durica at light-welterweight. The Slovakian was deducted a point for hitting behind the head in the last round.

Fellow St James’ man, Padraig McCrory lived up to his ‘Hammer’ moniker as he blasted through Gabor Detre in 1.48 of the opening round.

McCrory had Detre in trouble immediately with hard rights and an uppercut leaving the Hungarian on unsteady legs. A brief flurry was all referee, Paul McCullagh needed to see as he waved the fight off.

“It may have been stopped a bit too early, but he was buzzed every shot and it was only a matter of time,” he said

“I have more gears to go through and no disrespect to the guy, but that was only second gear tonight.”

Steve Collins Jnr opened the show with a 60-54 points win against Pawel Strykowski over six rounds, while Phil Sutcliffe Jnr returned from injury and cruised to a 40-36 points win over Eligio Palacios.

Chief support was Gary Cully who blasted through Mohammed Kambuluta in the first, knocking the Tanzanian down three times. Titanic win: Belfast welterweight Paddy Gallagher won every round against Fernando Valencia last night