Battle tested

It’s easy work for Deniz compared to sparring with the mighty Beterbiev

OLDHAM

MARCH 4

★★★★★ WHOLE SHOW

DROYLSDEN’S Billy Deniz marked his first fight since sparring with Artur Beterbiev by claiming a knockout win over Latvia’s Edgars Sniedze at Oldham Leisure Centre.

The 22-year-old, who travelled to Canada to join Beterbiev in his camp for his world title clash with Anthony Yarde in January, followed up a stunning right uppercut with a left hand to secure victory after 2-20 of round three. Referee Andy Brook did not hesitate to wave off the contest, Sniedze having already been knocked down earlier in the round.

Earlier on the six-fight card, presented by Frank Duffin Promotions in association with Maree Boxing, Keighley’s Ibrahim Nadim

suffered a first professional defeat, at the hands of Bulgaria’s Tinko Banabakov.

Nadim, trained by Ricky Hatton, came into the contest unbeaten in nine outings and with high hopes of claiming a title this year.

But Banabakov caused the 9-1 home fighter problems from the outset and few could argue when referee John Latham raised his arm in victory, having scored it 58-57.

One boxer who did stretch his perfect record to 10-0 on the night was Earby’s Josh Holmes, who returned after 16 months out to earn a stoppage win over Zimbabwe’s

Tatenda Mangombe.

A high-tempo contest was waved off by Mr Brook after 1-33 of round five, with Holmes relentlessly hunting down his opponent and landing a barrage of punches.

Also maintaining unbeaten records were Burnley’s Reece Farnhill, Bradford’s Tauseef Suleman and Rochdale’s James Albert.

Farnhill had to contend with a cut for much of his fight with Iran’s Bahadur Karami, but he showed real grit and determination to take a 58-57 victory on Mr Latham’s card.

Mr Latham officiated as Suleman beat Blackburn’s Naeem Ali 40-36, while Mr Brook oversaw Albert’s 39-37 win over Derby’s

Nathan Junor.

FULL RESULTS

Billy Deniz (181¾lbs), 8-0 (5), w rsf 3 Edgars Sniedze (183½lbs), 6-37-1 (6); Tinko Banabakov (126lbs 5oz), 5-1 (1), w pts 6 Ibrahim Nadim (126lbs 9oz), 9-1 (2); Josh Holmes (136¾lbs), 10-0 (3), w rsf 5 Tatenda Mangombe (134¾lbs), 1-6; Reece Farnhill (160lbs ~1oz), 8-0 (3), w pts 6 Bahadur Karami (162¼lbs), 1-3-1 (1); Tauseef Suleman (147¾lbs), 3-0, w pts 4 Naeem Ali (150½lbs), 2-101-1 (1); James Albert (179lbs 14oz), 4-0-1 (1), w pts 4 Nathan Junor (187¾lbs), 3-15-1 (2).