Huddersfield-trained Abdon Cesar scored an impressive points win over Rotherham’s Atif Shafiq in Sheffield to claim the British Masters Bronze lightweight title.

Super bantamweight Josh Wale beat Lithuanian Aivaras Balsys in two rounds on the same show, writes Luqman Liaqat.

But middleweight Alistair ‘Burt’ Warren suffered a controversial points defeat by Scotsman Lee Gallacher in Motherwell.

Shafiq, 20, showed his ability to dart in and out of range in the opening exchanges against Cameroonian Cesar.

But the 29-year-old African eventually landed some hefty blows, with Shafiq struggling to respond.

Cesar took a 77-75 decision over eight rounds to make it two wins running after four defeats.

“Abdon is older and more experienced,” said trainer Chris Aston.

“His record is a little deceptive, because his early fights were four rounders, and he was starting to get on top by that stage.

“We knew getting him into a six or eight rounder wouldn’t be a problem.”

Wale, 26, now has 17 wins from 25 bouts.

Wale found plenty of body shots against Balsys, 29, who had only been stopped once before.

Aston said: “It was an impressive win. Aivaras is a good fighter with a good record.

“Josh is a very heavy puncher and his first shot hurt his opponent. From then, the writing was on the wall.

“Once Josh gets hold of someone, he keeps at him for the duration of the fight.”

Aston felt Huddersfield’s Warren, 27, who now has eight wins, eight losses and three draws, deserved better in his four rounder against Gallacher, 25.

“I thought Burt completely dominated the third and had the kid in trouble,” he said.

“Had there been a fifth round, Gallacher would not have been standing.

“A draw would maybe have been a better decision.”