Ball sails through stern Civic test

Coseley's Jamie Ball was given a stern test of his mettle against Ernie Smith but sailed through to win on points at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall last night.

The promising 24-year-old stepped into the ring for the third time as a pro against a difficult opponent in the 'Gypsy Boy' from Stourport, a hugely experienced foe competing in his 149th professional bout.

As early as the first round Smith was fit to pounce, catching his opponent with a flurry of body shots in the ropes, which Ball did well to battle back out from and take evasive action.

'The Bully' fought back in the second round, catching Smith with two bruising head shots, which he somehow managed to shrug off. The two continued to trade the advantage until the final bell sounded after six rounds.

Ball won the decision 60-54, to continue his unblemished start to life in the pro ranks.

He said: "I stuck to the game plan and it worked. Every round my work rate picked up. It was a learning curve against a good fighter, in my first six rounder, and I feel I will take a lot from it.

"I feel great. I am back in the action at the Civic on November 9 and hope to compete for a Midlands title next year."

In the main event, Rob Hunt made it 11-0 as Stafford's only professional boxer against Birmingham's Jason Nesbitt.

Hunt was by far the more offensive of the two in his first eight-round fight, showing real endurance as he attacked to the last bell. His combination punching had Nesbitt in trouble on more than one occasion.

He nearly ended up on the deck after two particular hard shots from Hunt in the fifth round and it was no surprise to see the Stafford hope awarded the bout by 78-74 at the final bell.

Hunt said: "I felt a bit tired halfway through the bout but got my second wind after that. Jason was a very defensive opponent and difficult to hit, but I felt I picked him off and I was always looking for an opening.

"I fight to win."

Wolverhampton's Russell Colley also enjoyed success as he fought for the second time in 14 days and rolled over Tye Williams.

A see-saw battle between the two left little room for many clear-cut openings but, when Colley did have the chance to attack, Williams had the durability to stand up to it.

Colley got the decision 40-36.

Another local lad, Wednesbury's Dean Arnold, was also in action. In only his second professional fight, he beat the legendary Peter Buckley, competing in his 296th professional fight, by 40-36.

Elsewhere, Scott Evans beat Peter Dunn by 40-36 and Kevin McAuley beat Matt Seawright by 40-36.