ON THE MARCH
Challenger and co retain their unbeaten records, writes Dan Etchells
MANCHESTER MARCH 26 ★★★☆☆ WHOLE SHOW
LEICESTER’S CJ Challenger improved to 12-0 after claiming a comprehensive points win over Bulgaria’s Angel Emilov at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. The talented super-welterweight produced a thoroughly professional performance against a stubborn opponent, for a 60-54 win from referee Jamie Kirkpatrick.
Challenger is now eyeing a big year, with promotor Pat Barrett suggesting he could be fighting for belts before the end of 2022. The 27-year-old was one of eight fighters to maintain unbeaten records on the 12-bout show presented by Black Flash Promotions.
Among the others was Aberdare’s Joe Morgan as he registered a first-round knockout win over Liverpool’s Steven Floyd at 2-34. A beautiful right uppercut followed by a left-handed body shot completely winded Floyd, who dropped to one knee and never looked like beating referee Darren Sarginson’s count.
Another fighter preserving an unblemished record was Manchester’s
Connor Ward, defeating Nicaragua’s
Josue Bendana in arguably the most entertaining contest of the evening to make it five without loss. Ward picked up valuable experience against his Central American opponent and he was delighted to come away with a 39-37 win under the watchful eye of Kirkpatrick.
There were debut victories, meanwhile, for Swansea’s Josh Kaighin and Liverpool’s Hakeem Palmer against winless opponents, with both bouts officiated by Sarginson. Kaighin overcame Liverpool’s Gary Stables by TKO after 2-48 of round three, while Palmer eased to a 40-36 win against Lithuania’s Genadij Krajevskij.
Also tasting success was Bradford’s Amin Jahanzeb with the 25-year-old securing a 59-54 win over Mexico’s Christian Lopez Flores, despite being deducted a point by Sarginson in the final round.
In the sole women’s bout, Blackpool’s Hannah Baggaley followed her debut win in September with defeat against Stoke-on-trent’s Rebecca Ferguson, who got a 39-37 verdict by Sarginson.