JACK FLASH

Rafferty registers another early victory, this time against Valencia

SHAW’S Jack Rafferty is developing a taste for inside-the-distance wins. Going in, four of his last five opponents hadn’t made it through to the final bell and this latest one didn’t either. Mexican Fernando Valencia, halted just twice in 26 previous outings, almost made it at Oldham Leisure Centre, but not quite. He was stopped in the sixth and last round of a bout officiated by Phil Edwards.

There was a return for Preston’s Mick Hall who, far from easing his way back, jumped in with tough Sheffield-based Cameroonian Serge Ambomo. Hall didn’t have it all his own way but he did do enough to earn a 39-38 points win from referee Darren Sarginson.

Another points winner was Manchester’s

Sean Fennell who, stepping up to six for the first time, was handed a 59-56 victory by Mr Sarginson at the conclusion of his bout against Derbyshire veteran Lee Connelly.

Bolton’s Osman Aslam had an early night – a fourth and final-round stoppage coming his way against Spain-based Nicaraguan Pablo Narvaez in a contest refereed by Mr Edwards.

Manchester’s Zak Miller showed plenty of promise en route to a 40-36 debut win (Phil Edwards refereeing) over Swindon’s

Joe Beeden. There were home successes too for Mancunians Connor Burton and Dan Booth, who notched respective triumphs over Bradford’s Jake Pollard and Canning Town southpaw Lee Hallett.

Burton took the 40-36 decision of Mr Edwards and Booth edged home 39-38 on the card of Mr Sarginson.

The surprise of the night came in the fight between Blackburn-born Asad Riaz who, having won all four previously, came a cropper against one-fight Penzance novice Dylan Courtney. The Cornwall man controlled proceedings sufficiently enough to take the 39-36 verdict of referee Sarginson.

THE VERDICT Rafferty makes his mark on this Black Flash promotion.

NOTE THE November 16 Aberdeen show – reported on in last week’s issue (November 21) – was a co-promotion between Kynoch Boxing and Northern Sporting Club.