Brendan Galbraith – Belfast flyweight Luke ‘Winky’ Wilton (8 stone 1 Ilb) continued his winning streak with a clinical first round KO of Latvian Muharem Osmanov (7 stone 11 Ilbs) in a scheduled four rounder on the undercard of the Alexei Acosta – Sean Hughes bill the Holiday Inn, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Local favourite Wilton, sporting the trademark Team Alio claret and blue colours entered the ring with his father and trainer – Alan Wilton, to a rapturous reception by the packed house of 400 fight fans.
A fortnight earlier, Wilton scored an impressive points win over Kevin Coglan in the Rogan-Sexton II bill and there were similarities in the opening scenes of both performances.. In both fights, Wilton started off with intent – immediately launching a flurry of body and head combos on both combatants – getting through with powerful bodyshots. The 
affect of the barrage of punches is were the similarities ended. Whilst Coglan did well to hold on and survive the first round assault – Osmanov bared little resistance and winced as the first body shot landed. Osamanov, clearly out of his depth, was subjected to further punishment downstairs and was inevitably put the canvas inside the first minute. The Latvian man bravely continued but lasted only a matter of seconds before getting dropped by a powerful left shot to the liver and this time he did not beat the count.
Prior to this fight Luke Wilton reported that he had felt really good in his last fight with Coglan and that training he had gone brilliantly – feeling both fit and strong. In the last three fights that I have seen him in (Alfadi, Coglan and Osmanov), Wilton has greatly improved his accuracy – eradicating a lot of wild shots – as well as crafting a potent left hook to the body that is served well with excellent leverage and improved strength.
The impetus from Wilton’s recent good form has spurred the Northern Ireland man to make 2010 a memorable year:
“I hope to get a couple of 8 rounders now in the new year and then I am more or less in the mix and would love to avenge my loss with Usman Ahmed and then maybe a title fight but what ever comes first I will take”.
Indeed, Usman Ahmed is the only real blight on Wilton’s record so far, as he is still 2-1 to the good in his trilogy with Delroy Spencer. Wilton looks strong at flyweight and there seems to be good alignment between Wilton’s all action aggressive style and his excellent fitness and conditioning. If Wilton continues his technical improvements and winning streak, then a British Title shot could be on his trajectory towards the end of 2010. In the meantime, Belfast fight fans will look forward to the next Belfast Promotions event and hopefully more collaboration with Gary Hyde’s excellent stable of Irish Cuban’s.
Separate ringside reports of the headliner of Acosta-Hughes and round up of the rest of the undercard coming shortly.