Male's pain in becoming new champ
Cradley's Chris Male fought through a badly broken hand to become the British Masters featherweight champion in the main event at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Cradley's Chris Male fought through a badly broken hand to become the British Masters featherweight champion in the main event at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
The Black Country boxer took the six-fight unbeaten record of the highly-rated Melksham fighter Liam Richards yesterday and nudged to a convincing 98-92 points decision after 10 rounds.
And there was one knockdown in the fight, one that smashed Male's hand to bits in the fourth round.
A shot saw Richards hit the canvas for an eight count who was soon back onto his feet, after a punch that destroyed his opponent's offensive weapon.
From that punch, Male was left nursing two breaks to his right hand, ruptured ligaments and the high possibility of surgery.
We should know whether that will be the case within the next 48 hours.
It was a hell of a way to lift your first title in the boxing business, it was also the first time he had dropped a round in nine fights since turning pro in September 2008.
But Male is the champion, against a teak tough challenger to boot, and could be looking at a shot at the revived English title before the year is out.
Let's just hope the injury isn't as bad as first feared.
He said: "As soon as he touched down I knew I was in trouble. I was in the corner thinking 'please don't get up!'
"I knew I had hurt myself, because every time I touched him with the right it just shot pain all down that side of my body.
"It was the worst pain I had ever felt and then I started getting cramps in my leg, I don't know why."
But, pain aside, Male was walking on air after taking his first title in the pro ranks.
The punching postman also brought the first belt back to the stable of former fighter Shaun Cooper's led clan, which meant everything to the 27-year-old.
He said: "I thought I boxed really well, I knew I could beat this kid and I am looking at a big fight in the autumn.
"I trained hard for this and I am proud of myself. I have been boxing since I was 10 years old, but I had a bit of time out, so this makes it all worth it."
