Macca warns Barker after Civic win
Dudley's Darren McDermott warned Commonwealth champion Darren Barker he is six rounds fitter after victory at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
'The Black Country Bodysnatcher' beat Jamie Ambler over the distance, never looking in danger.
The two traded some solid blows, the pick of which was a strong over-the-top hook from McDermott that rocked Ambler in the third.
It went the distance, a case of 'job done' for Macca as a tune-up.
Now he goes on to face Barker for the Commonwealth belt at Watford Coliseum on May 23.
McDermott said: "I was out there for one reason – ring time for my fight with Barker. Jamie was a good test and he tried to put it on with me, so I decided to have a go with him.
"I'm fully fit now and I'm coming for the Commonwealth title."
Commonwealth super-flyweight champion Don Broadhurst retained his belt against Ghanaian challenger Asamoah Wilson.
His African opponent was a match in the early stages, the Birmingham flier bleeding heavily from the nose as early as the first round.
But 'the Don' took command from the second round, wearing his opponent down with body punches.
Wilson was on thin ice long before his corner threw the towel in the sixth round, the referee duly stopping it.
Former WBF champion Marcus Portman made his return to the ring after 10 months against Alex Spitko.
It was a see-saw battle that saw the West Bromwich man come into the fight in the later rounds, with the former titlist declared the victor on points.
Portman was not happy with his performance.
He said: "For the first two rounds I felt I was still on time out, at home watching Deal or No Deal!
"I'm glad I got that fight out of the way, now I need proper rounds to get me back to my best.
"I want to get back into the ring as soon as possible."
Coseley's Jamie Ball took a step up and was no worse off for it as he outpointed the durable Matt Scriven.
His experienced foe tried to contain the fleet-footed Black Country middleweight, but Ball rocked him with a strong uppercut in the third.
The veteran did cut his opponent, when blood was spilled from what appeared to be a clash of heads in the fourth.
But Ball came through and said: "That was the toughest bout I've had yet, without a doubt."
SCORECARD FROM THE CIVIC: -
Light Middleweight – Rob Kenney (Wolverhampton) v Jay Jay Bird (Peterborough) – Draw 38 points each.
Light Welterweight – Rob Hunt (Stafford) v Chris Long (Calne) – Draw 37 points each.
Middleweight – Jamie Ball (Coseley) v Matt Scriven (Nottingham) – Ball 40-36 points winner.
Middleweight – Marcus Portman (West Bromwich) v Alex Spitko (Mansfield) – Portman 40-38 points winner.
Middleweight – Darren McDermott (Dudley) v Jamie Ambler (Aberystwyth) – McDermott 60-55 points winner.
British Welterweight Title Eliminator – Jamie Cox (Swindon) v Mark Lloyd (Telford) – Cox winner referee stopped fight in eighth.
Commonwealth Super Flyweight Title – Don Broadhurst (Birmingham) v Asamoah Wilson (Ghana) – Broadhurst winner referee stopped fight sixth round, retains title.
Welterweight – Jason Welborn (Dudley) v Kevin McCauley (Stourbridge) – Welborn 39-38 points winner.
