Vicky Wilkinson becomes first Midlands Champ
BLACK Country belle Vicky Wilkinson made boxing history last Sunday by becoming the first ever female Midlands area champ.
On BCB’s fine show at the Hangar Events Venue, Wolverhampton, the 39-year-old veteran welterweight and Beccy Ferguson served up a gruelling, toe-to-toe 10 round thriller.
It was Wombourne’s Wilkinson - taking part in her sixth contest - who prevailed, taking a 98-94 decision from referee Kevin Parker.
That was Vicky’s second victory over Ferguson. She beat the 32-year-old, who has now lost eight of 10 contests, over the apprentice four round distance in March.
A spokesman for BCB said: “There was plenty of will on show - credit to both women.”
Birmingham’s former British middleweight title challenger Andrew Robinson picked up a stoppage win as he put Vaidas Balcuiuskas to the sword in three.
“D’Animal” threw the kitchen sink at the Lithuanian who had seen enough by the third and turned his back on his opponent.
Robinson had simply too much for an opponent who has now lost 23 of 26.
At 38 and with 36 fights under his belt (six losses), Robinson is nearing the end of a punishing, action packed career, but he’s still hungry for one more night of glory.
In an all Birmingham light-welterweight clash, Mykey Lee Broughton outpointed Logan Paling over four, 40-36.
Broughton, aged 21, is now unbeaten in four and rapidly emerging as one to watch. Former Thai boxer Paling, trained by Shaun Cogan, is game, but has now lost all three bouts.
After seven months out of the ring, Birmingham’s former Midlands champ and English title contender Kane Baker shed ring rust with shut-out, four rounds points victory over Lithuanian journeyman Simas Volosinas.
Throughout, 32-year-old junior-lightweight Baker looked a class above a boxer who has won just seven of 114 contest. He’ll be well pleased with his night’s work.
Volosinas may be on a 56 fight losing run stretching back to 2016, but he’ near impossible to stop. Only eight opponents have prevented him from hearing the final bell.
Perton light-heavy Andy Owen boxed over six rounds for the first time - and didn’t drop a round to Bulgarian Julian Lilyanov 60-54.
Owen - a 35-year-old Wolves fanatic - stayed patient and worked through the gears to move to 4-1.
Lilyanov sports a 1-2 record.
Birmingham super-middle Troy Jones made it four straight wins as he disposed of Patryk Polasik in the sixth and final round.
The 24-year-old stayed composed under pressure from the Pole who ploughed forward - mainly with his head.
Jones got his just rewards in the final round when a flurry of unanswered shots saw trainee referee Peter McCormack wave off the contest. After six bouts, Polasik has yet to register a win.
Super-bantamweight prospect Qais Ashfaq picked up another victory as he defeated Nicaragua’s Yader Cordoza.
The 29 year-old was comfortable throughout as he picked up a routine 60-54 win. The Leeds fighter will be eying titles in 2023.