Chris Edwards set the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke, England ablaze with a torrid effort that reduced opponent Wayne Bloy to a shattered shell after three rounds of spirited combat to capture the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight titles on Friday night on a Frank Maloney promotion. The Stoke powerhouse was a two-fisted torrent of leather, battering the taller Bloy to both the head and body until there was simply no place for the big-hearted Grimsby boxer to hide. The 32 year old Edwards was a study in perpetual motion, sinking in hard shots to both the head and body as he propelled forward in a shockwave that unhinged his opponent..
Team Bloy kept their man in the corner rather than to face the increasingly one way traffic for the fourth frame, winning Edwards the 112 pound belts in what was a career best performance to date.
Chief support saw an excellent scrap at light middle with Lincoln based banger Kevin Hammond dropping local lad Jimmy Doherty in the first session with a perfect left hook. Doherty beat the count and worked his way back into the fight by the middle of the bout, but Hammond’s constant pressure, higher workrate and early knockdown produced a strong eight round points win, 78-74.
Flashy flyweight Ashley Sexton continued to impress as the Cheshunt prospect stopped opponent Fikret Remziev of Bulgaria in the second after winning every exchange with sparkling efficiency. The 21 year old phenom solidified his position as one of the top up and comers on the British scene
English lightweight champion Scott Lawton of Stoke kept busy with a six round points win over Londoner Johnny Greaves in a non-title bout at light welter. Lawton was accurate both upstairs and down but wasn’t able to put away the durable southpaw, who used his experience to keep out of trouble in a contest that was scored 60-54.
In one of the most action-packed contests of the evening, local welterweight Scott Miller overcame stiff opposition from Manchester based Pole Tomasz Mazurkiewicz thru sheer effort, grinding out a six round points verdict, 59-54.
Promising heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo continued to shine as the gigantic East End slugger chinned opponent Mihai Iftode, stopping the Romanian import in the second round behind an impressive barrage of artillery.
Bantamweight prospect Paul Edwards showed flashes of brilliance while decisioning Slovakian super bantam southpaw Elemir Rafael in a four rounder, 40-36.
Heavyweight Alex Ibbs of Stoke pounded out a four round unanimous win, 40-36, against Steve Bodger of Blackburn.
Newcastle cruiserweight Jon-Lewis Dickinson defeated Doncaster man John Anthony 40-36 after four frames in a competitive scrap.
Featherweight prospect Samir Mouneimne of Hull was held to a draw in his professional debut by Walsall veteran Steve Gethin over four contentious rounds.
Sky Sports televised the action live.