Taste of victory for fight duo on Villa's grounds

Former footballer Natty 'the Natural' Howell was on the ball as he booted his first opponent into touch at Aston Villa's Holte Suite on Saturday.

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It was a home from home for the 25-year-old, raised in nearby Nechells but now based in Rowley Regis, formerly a teenager at Birmingham City.

He left opponent Ben Robinson tracking back with a performance of athleticism after setting a fast pace against the London brawler, who threw loaded bombs hoping for impact.

Howell shut out his adversary over four rounds by a 40-36 points margin and was then handed his next fight date, back with the fighters he came through the ranks with Priory Park Boxing Club.

They descend on the Venue in Dudley on Friday September 19, with Howell on the card after coming through his paid bow unscathed.

He said: "That was in the back of my mind, but that didn't put me back a step in there. I came to fight and I got exactly that.

"My guard was nice and tight, I got hit twice in the whole fight and I was even glad I did that, because it woke me up and didn't allow me to get too confident.

"Those are mistakes I don't intend to make again, these will be ironed out by the 19th. It's all about growing and the process has just begun."

Walsall's Daniel Breeze moved up to 2-0 in the professional ranks at welterweight with little resistance, going up the gears to shut-out Harjinder Gill with suggestions of an early night.

The talented prospect, just 18 and having won a national amateur title in the junior ABAs last year, nearly got the job done early after piling on the pressure as the fight wore on.

Breeze really put his punches together in the last round as Gill clung on for dear life, but he did make the final bell. Unsurprisingly, he was a shut-out points loser by 40-36.

Meanwhile, Coseley's Jamie Gelder was left frustrated after his fight in Scotland was called off due to his opponent being taken ill.

Brian Peacock refused to fight citing a sickness bug, leaving the Black Country boxer without an opponent. Fortunately, he hadn't already made the trip.