Femi shades title in thriller

A spirited fightback saw him claim the vacant English super-featherweight title with a single point victory over Manchester's previously unbeaten Steven Bell.

Doncaster referee Howard Foster scoring the contest 95-94 in his favour.

Things had looked ominous when a solid right to the head mid-way through the opener pitched Fehintola forward on to his knees where he received a count from the official and at that early stage it looked as though his weight making problems (he had needed three attempts to reach the required weight at the previous days weigh-in) could cost him dearly.

There were to be no more knockdowns but the early impetus remained with the Manchester boxer and former two time ABA champion who opened up a decent early lead.

But Fehintola wasn't giving up and with improved work-rate in the fifth pulled a round back – and there appeared a glimmer of hope that he may be able to turn things around.

That glimmer turned out to be just the start of things for Femi and with Bell relegated firmly to the back foot for long periods the deficit slowly but surely reduced.

Things still appeared to be hanging in the balance going into the last round.

That round, similarly to at least four of the previous five, went the way of the Bradford boxer who, with his confidence soaring, backed Bell up working behind the jab, and simply outworked him down the closing straight.

It was always going to be a close call and ringside commentators were equally split as to who they thought ought to have been given the nod, but in the end it was a jubilant Femi beginning his celebrations.

Hillsborough light-welterweight Kell Brook had no problem improving his unbeaten record to 15-0 with a 60-55 six round points victory over Wisbech based Estonian Alex Stoda, who, having suffered a systematic beating, ended the contest with a badly swollen face and with his right eye closing.

Brook went about is work in a calculated, measured fashion before upping the pace noticeably from the half-way stage.

A late rally earned Stoda a share of the final session but the fight was already in the bag.

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