Essington’s Ben Wilkes capped a year to remember with a debut win at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

The 22-year-old was the darling of the crowd and he produced in the ring, outpointing wily Welshman Mark Phillips.

Wilkes dropped 6st in 12 months to make it to light-welterweight for his debut, weighing in at exactly 12st on the night.

He said: “It has been such a great year for me and such a great story, I just want to keep my feet on the ground and take it one step at a time.

“But, if I am honest, I would love to compete for a title, a Midland or British Masters title, anything like that.

“Who knows where it will lead.”

In the main event, Stourbridge’s Scott Evans overcame the odds to beat Chris Long over the distance and win the British Masters welterweight title.

The two slugged it out for 10 rounds, the longest Evans has ever gone, in a see-saw battle.

He said: “I have only ever done four three minute rounds, so it was a big ask for me and I went for it. I was getting really tired at the end, that is when I had to dig in and show courage.

“I actually prefer to have gone the distance, rather than take a knockout, because I never would have known how hard it is otherwise.

“I feel that I have proved a lot to people after this fight.”

Wolverhampton’s first female professional boxer Lyndsey Scragg made a winning return to action, outpointing Lana Cooper in another hard fought battle.

Now Scragg has eyes on tests ahead.

She said: “Lana was game, she came to fight but I feel I showed a better class. I just need to get back in the gym and get ready to make the next step.

“Now I need to prepare myself for the bigger fights.”

Coseley’s Richard Ghent won his second fight in the professional ranks, with the decision over another Welshman in Craig Dyer.

The light welterweight is now waiting for his next obstacle.

Ghent said: “I felt I was coming into my own as the fight wore on. I want six fights by the end of the year, and to have seven straights win on my record.”

Walsall’s teenage prodigy Joel Ryan “just wants to improve” after a bright debut win against Arnold Lydekaitis, while Halesowen’s Keith Sheen beat the veteran Karl Taylor in fight number two of his professional career.

REPORT CARD: -

Light Middleweight – Joel Ryan (Walsall) v Arnold Lydekaitis (Coventry) – Ryan 40-36 points winner.

Middleweight – Russell Colley (Wolverhampton) v Ernie Smith (Stourport) – Colley 40-36 points winner.

Middleweight – Danny Johnston (Stoke-on-Trent) v Matt Seawright (Tamworth) – Johnston 39-38 points winner.

Welterweight – Chris Lewis (Wolverhampton) v Daniel Thorpe (Sheffield) – Lewis 40-36 points winner.

Welterweight – Keith Sheen (Halesowen) v Karl Taylor (Birmingham) – Sheen 59-56 points winner.

Super Featherweight – Lyndsey Scragg (Wolverhampton) v Lana Cooper (Wales) – Scragg 60-56 points winner.

Light Welterweight – Ben Wilkes (Wolverhampton) v Mark Phillips (Wales) – Wilkes 40-37 points winner.

Light Welterweight – Richard Ghent (Coseley) v Craig Dyer (Wales) – Ghent 40-35 points winner.

British Masters Welterweight Title – Scott Evans (Stourbridge) v Chris Long (Colne) – Evans 97-95 points winner.