Brad dominates first six rounder and now wants crack at titles

Brad celebrates after last night's win over Marku

BRAD Coley, the Birmingham flyweight with a big following, travelled six rounds for the first time last night – and wants a title fight next.

The 23-year-old talent was made to graft for his win at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport. Southpaw Valentin Marku came burning with ambition and pulled out all the stops down the stretch in an absorbing battle.

Referee Chris Dean gave the Southampton scrapper a round – possibly the last, scoring 59-55. I felt there was an argument for giving Marku, who entered the ring with a winning 3-2 record, a share of the fifth.

But Erdington’s Coley dominated the bulk of the action behind a stiff, sharp jab and now wants 10 round championship action.

“I could’ve applied more pressure,” the 23-year-old, who scored his fifth straight win, admitted, “but it was my first six rounder and I wanted to conserve the energy.  You want to look good for all six rounds, not just four. That’s a lesson learned.

“He was a tough lad who came with a winning record and came to win. He butted me four times.”

Trainer James Thomas said: “Jon (manager Jon Pegg) told me there could be a Midlands title fight next. We’ve just got to wait and see what comes.”

Coley with trainer Thomas...possible Midlands title next

Coley, his hair in cornrows, definitely shook Marku with one of the first punches thrown – a cracking left hook - and the visitor told me later: “It shocked me more than anything, I wasn’t expecting it.”

And Brad (8st 6lbs) was always dangerous with right hands whipped in behind the jab. He prowled, stalked, stepped back from Marku’s swing and punished him with precise counters.

Valentin (8st 5lbs) did get through with two lefts to the body in the third before Coley pulled away rubbing his scalp after heads collided.

Brad in the dressing room following his decisive win

Marku copped a cracking right hand on the bell to end the fourth, but attempted to turn it on in the last two sessions. Coley stayed with him, landed the better shots and both let the leather fly in an entertaining sixth.

Coley’s army of fans celebrated wildly when the bell rang. They knew it was in the bag, Brad’s corner knew it was in the bag.

In his first real test, the fighter nicknamed “Lights Out” shone. Stiffer test and longer distances await the product of Kingstanding’s Second City amateur club.