SPEED RULES

The snappy Braithwaite outscores Allan, writes Gary Shaw

LOCAL super-flyweight Marcel Braithwaite won an exciting 10 round points win over Scotland’s Scot Allan in front of a raucous and appreciative crowd at Liverpool’s Central Hall.

Braithwaite [ inset] started quickly behind a jab but it was his speed – in defence and attack – that was too much for the visitor. Allan did have some success, catching his opponent off-balance for an eight-count in the fourth, but he was caught with single shots throughout. With low hands and quick feet, Braithwaite’s best work came when he put that together with combinations of punches, particularly in the seventh.

Both fighters brought a large following and, in the acoustically impressive surrounds of the former Weslyan Mission, the crowd applauded both fighters at the end of an absorbing contest. Reece Carter judged it 98-93; Mark Lyson had it 95-94 while Terry O’connor scored 97-92. John Latham refereed.

In the opener, Liverpool debutant John Edwardson enjoyed a 40-36 win over Russia’s Rustem Fatkhullin who, although losing, looked well-schooled at times. Mr Lyson refereed. In a local derby that became scrappy more than once, Michael Walton outpointed Ricky Starkey, 40-37, on busy referee Jamie Kirkpatrick’s card. Widnes’ Josh Breeden rocked experienced Yorkshireman

Harry Matthews in the third round of a solid match up but the visitor hung on to the final bell. Kirkpatrick scored it 40-36. Towering Aberdeen super-middleweight Boris Crighton barely got out of second gear in his 60-54 win over Russia’s

Vasif Mamedov. A much less busy Kirkpatrick refereed.

Portugal’s Manchester-based Yailton Neves, made Widnes super-middleweight Leon Willings think as well as fight, the home fighter showed good composure to run out a 39-37 winner on Mark Lyson’s card.

THE VERDICT Braithwaite makes his speed tell.