Huddersfield star Tyrone Nurse scored a cracking unanimous points victory over Tommy Coyle to retain his British light-welterweight title.
The 26-year-old completed a second successful defence of the Lonsdale Belt on the big Sky TV bill at the Leeds Arena, getting the verdict from all three judges.
Howard Foster from Doncaster and Ian John-Lewis of Gillingham scored it 115-113 in Nurse’s favour, while Victor Loughlin from Barrhead made it 116-112.
This was despite Nurse being knocked down by a surprise left in the seventh round as Coyle gave it everything to become Hull’s first ever British champion.
“It was a cracking fight and I knew Tommy would turn up and put in a shift – really appreciate that,” said Nurse, who prepared with his best ever training camp under dad and trainer Chris Aston.
“I’ve said many times whatever comes next will come.
“If a world title shot comes then it would be hard to say no, but everyone wants to win a Lonsdale Belt outright.
“So if it’s Jack Catterall next with me having the chance to do that, then so be it, it will be a hell of a fight.”
There have been suggestions Nurse could be offered a shot at Ricky Burns’ world title, while Catterall is the mandatory challenger for the light-welterweight belt (also known as the super-lightweight division).
Coyle was tremendously sporting in defeat and tipped Nurse to ‘go all the way’.
In tears after the verdict, Coyle said: “I’m gutted because I really didn’t see myself getting beaten, but Tyrone will go all the way because he is a slick, horrible fighter to fight.
“He is a credit to British boxing and it was an honour to share a ring with him.”
Sky TV pundit Johnny Nelson believes Nurse should stick to the domestic route next.
The former world champion said: “It was a match made in heaven in terms of punching power, pace and familiarity between Nurse and Coyle.
“Tommy had a gameplan which was to jump on Tyrone and make a fast start, and it worked perfectly as he stuck on his chest.
“I was very surprised Tyrone stayed on the inside because he made life harder for himself, but when he got his boxing skills together, Tyrone was so slick and skilful
“I think he should now clean up at domestic level now, stay in his own circle and then move on to European.”
