MTK’S debut show in region brings top home wins

MTK’S first Tyneside show brought four wins for the four home fighters. Top of the bill, Ferryhill’s Kyle Redfearn got back to winning ways in scintillating fashion. Hungarian visitor Norbert Szekeres was game while it lasted. He was a danger with his stocky build and big left hook, but once Redfearn worked that out he always looked capable of a finish. He found a body shot in third to end matters in style. Darren Surtees defeated Oscar Amador after referee for the evening Ron Kearney was forced to stop it when the visitor dislocated the thumb on his right hand and could not continue.

It was a shame because the fight was starting to turn into a tasty contest, with both fighters throwing leather. Surtees looked the classier, but Amador was game.

Surtees ends a terrific year as 11-0 and will be looking for big fights in 2019.

The show at the Gateshead Hilton was MTK’S maiden event in Tyneside having opened a gym here earlier in the year. This was a charity dinner show in aid of Macmillan Cancer.

Chad Ellis and Jay Hughes got the other two home wins in shut-out, four-round points victories.

Ellis bested Belfast’s Alec Bazza to move to 6-0 with an assertive display. A knockdown in the last earned a 40-35 decision.

Hughes of County Durham outpointed the awkward Naheem Chaudhry by boxing behind a snappy jab.

Overall it was a good first showing in the North East for the now-global boxing brand. Their fighters will need to face trickier tests going forward, but this was a nice introduction to the region and their presence up here more often in 2019 will certainly be welcome. They plan to go again in Newcastle in April.

Elsewhere, Darlington middleweight Troy Williamson will end his year with a spot on next weekend’s huge PPV cars in Leeds headlines by Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington.

Williamson is signed by Frank Warren and will look to stay undefeated and get back to winning ways after a contentious draw against Jack Flatley last time out.