Jack Catterall and Matty Clarkson win on Preston Guild Hall fight night
Jack Catterall and Matty Clarkson were both victorious on a big night of boxing at Preston Guild Hall on Saturday night.
Promoter Johnney Roye, who runs the MTK Manchester gym in the city, put together the 13-fight bill, the final part of which was broadcast live on subscription boxing channel BoxNation.
Chorley’s British super lightweight champion Catterall took just two minutes and 12 seconds to dispose of Kevin McCauley in his first fight under new trainer Jamie Moore.
It was a useful outing for the unbeaten 24-year-old as he keeps busy ahead of bigger challenges ahead.
His 20th professional victory sets up a spot on the Lee Selby-Josh Warrington undercard at Leeds United’s Elland Road on May 19, Catterall currently ranked number four in the world by the World Boxing Organisation.
It was a big night for Clarkson who returned after nearly three-and-a-half years out having overcome a serious neck problem.
The Preston light heavyweight was frustrated at times by the negative tactics of Dmitrij Kalinovskij but shook off some ring rust and got the job done in front of a home crowd.
Having not fought since November 2014, ‘Magic Matty’ took the verdict 40-36 after four rounds to pick up a 13th professional win.
The former Central Area champion, who had promoter Roye in his corner, now hopes to return to action sooner rather than later as he builds his way back into contention for domestic titles.
There was also a first round knockout win for Preston-born cruiserweight Damian Chambers earlier on in the evening as he made it four wins out of four in the paid ranks.
In the main event Roye-trained Liam Conroy, from Barrow, retained his English light heavyweight title in style with a second round stoppage of Miles Shinkwin.
It was a hat-trick for the MTK Manchester chief on the night as he was in the corner for another Cumbrian, Mike McGoldrick, who got his professional career up and running with a unanimous points win over Remigijus Ziausys.
In the main supporting contest, the fight of the night, Dublin’s Declan Geraghty got the better of Liverpool’s John Quigley at super featherweight after 10 engaging rounds.
The Irishman was cut above the right eye early on but produced the slicker work to take the contest 96-93, despite having a point taken off for use of the head in round six.