Charlie Edwards TKO2 Jacob Barreto... On MTK Fight Night's chief support at London's York Hall, former flyweight title holder Charlie Edwards returned to the ring with a second-round stoppage victory over Jacob Barreto. It was the first time in over 12 months that Edwards (17-1, 7 KOs) had stepped back through the ropes, but he wasted little time, landing a huge left hook that sent Barreto (13-4, 5 KOs) to the canvas in round two. The Spaniard was unable to recover, with the referee seeing enough and calling a halt to the bout, as Edwards secured the extremely impressive win inside the distance. Edwards said: “I’m back in style. We’ve been working on a lot of things in the gym, and I feel fit and strong. It was a great camp with Joe Gallagher and this was the first step to becoming a two-time world champion. York Hall is my home, I’m a Repton boy. I finished my amateur career here, and I fought here in the National Championships at 14. It makes me feel proud of myself and how far I’ve come. I trained for this fight like I trained for my world title fight when I beat Rosales. I’m mentally back, and with Joe we’ll go all the way. It’s one step at a time but we’re coming for another world title 2022 will be a massive year for me, at either super-flyweight or bantamweight. Wherever the opportunities are I’m there.”
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Welterweight Elliot Whale extended his unbeaten record with a comfortable six-round points victory over tough Czech fighter Miroslav Serban. Whale (5-0, 1 KO) was back in action for the first time since February, but the 24-year-old hadn’t missed a step, controlling the fight from start to finish. Serban (13-8, 7 KOs) was unable to offer much back, with Whale boxing well on his way to a 60-54 points verdict on referee Lee Every’s scorecard. Whale said: “I’m happy to be back. He was quite a durable opponent, and I’m glad to be back after a hand injury. I’ve got a good training team that teach me lots in the gym. I’m always learning and I’m looking forward to the future. I want to have a clean run in 2022. I’ve been a professional two years now but due to COVID and injuries I’ve been a bit stop start, but hopefully next year I can kick on and maybe fight for an English title.”
Middleweight Inder Bassi claimed his second victory in a month as he banked more valuable rounds on his way to defeating Vasif Mamedov on points. Bassi (5-1) had earned a win at York Hall back in November, and he was there again on Friday for the clash with Mamedov, with Bassi performing well throughout the fight. It led to a shutout points win, with referee Marcus McDonnell scoring it 40-36 to Bassi, who took his record to 5-1 in the process. Bassi said: “I don’t think I was the best I could be, but I was happy to get the four rounds. I stepped up the gears as the fight went on and showed I was fit, but I got the win and that’s all that matters. He was a tough opponent, so credit to him. Speed kills, and I kept it tidy and stuck to my boxing throughout the fight. The next 12 months will be exciting, and hopefully this time next year I’ll be fighting for titles.”
Super bantamweight Nina Hughes won her professional debut with a 60-54 victory over Claudia Ferenczi (20-87-8). Hughes (1-0) brought a strong amateur background into the fight, and it soon became clear that she was able to transition into the professional game with ease, landing huge shots throughout the contest. Ferenczi showed her toughness and managed to last the distance, but it was a convincing win for Hughes, with the referee scoring every round in her favor. Hughes said: “I’m so happy and over the moon to get the first one out of the way. I knew she was tough and doesn’t usually get stopped, so I knew I’d have to work hard for all six rounds. I want to thank everybody that bought a ticket to come and watch me, and the support was amazing. I want to push on and get a few bouts and then push for titles. Whoever gets me there the quickest I’ll fight.”
Junior middleweight Carl Fail dropped Jose Carlos Clavero (16-17-1) on his way to a shutout points win. Fail knocked down Clavero at the end of round one, but the Spaniard showed his toughness by getting back up and continuing. Fail continued to dictate proceedings as the fight continued though, landing a number of great shots on his way to a 60-53 points win, claiming his fourth victory of 2021 in the process.
Welterweight Shiloh Defreitas picked up a first-round knockout victory over Dario Borosa (1-17). Defreitas (2-0, 2 KOs) was back for his second fight after his debut in October, and the man known as ‘Sugar Shy’ picked up right where he left off, dropping Borosa with a left to the body midway through the first round. Borosa was able to recover, but Defreitas jumped straight back on him and knocked him down again with another big body shot, with the Croatian stopped this time around, as ‘Sugar Shy’ became just the third man in 18 fights to defeat Borosa inside the distance. Defreitas said: “I’m grateful. It was a last minute opponent and I didn’t really know who I was fighting. I was going to feel him out in the first round but the body shot was there and I got it. I’ll fight anybody. I felt like I rushed it a bit, but I landed the right shots at the right time, so I made it an easy night’s work. In my first year as a professional I want 6 to 8 fights. I love everybody for tuning in, you’ll see lots of me so enjoy the show.”
