Jack Bateson hopes to gate-crash the world rankings after defeating Diego Alberto Ruiz in Leeds.
The new Probellum signing picked up the vacant WBA Super Bantamweight Intercontinental title with a unanimous points win after 10 rounds at Elland Road.
Bateson was awarded the victory – and potentially a spot in the WBA’s top 15 – with scores of 98-93, 98-92 and 97-93, in front of his home fans.
Ruiz came on strong in the final two rounds but Bateson, who had established a healthy lead on the scorecards, weathered the storm to secure the most important win of his career to date.
Bateson is part of an exciting super bantamweight division and fellow Probellum fighters, Lee McGregor, Shabaz Masoud and Carl Jammes Martin are all in the sanctioning body’s top 10.
Archie Sharp returned to the ring with a clear points victory over Alex Rat.
‘Sharpshooter’ had not fought since October but was a comfortable winner after 10 rounds, taking the contest with scores of 98-93, 99-91 and 98-92.
Sharp, now 22-0, is the WBO’s No1 contender in the super featherweight division and hopes to secure a shot at champion Shakur Stevenson.
Ohara Davies warmed up for a potential WBA world title eliminator by stopped Abdessamad Nechched in Leeds.
‘Two Tanks’ forced his opponent to the canvas in round seven and, again, in round eight and though Nechched beat the count after being floored for a second time, referee Howard Foster said he’d taken enough punishment.
Davies, who moves to 24-2 (17KOs), is now in line to fight Spain’s Sandor Martin, with the winner putting themselves in the frame to challenge for the WBA world super lightweight title.
