Telford's Kieron Gray loses in a tilt at the title
Telford's Kieron Gray saw his bid to land the British Bronze Masters Super Middleweight title end in defeat at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock.
The experienced Gray slipped to a 79-75 points loss at the hands of Stafford's Grant Cunningham, writes Dan Mole.
Cunningham extended his unbeaten run to 10 straight professional victories with a composed performance against his 36-year-old opponent.
The pair, friends outside of the ring, had crossed swords before in the amateur ranks.
On that occasion, it was Gray who was victorious but Cunningham is a different animal since stepping into the paid ranks.
He needs to fight more regularly in order to improve and realise his potential, but there is no doubting his ability.
Gray was quick out the blocks and put the pressure on Cunningham early on as he looked to make it a brawl.
It took the Stafford man a round or two to get into his stride but, by the third, he was beginning to shift through the gears and take control of the contest.
Snappy hooks, uppercuts and stiff jabs kept Gray at distance and a particularly spiteful right hook even had the durable 'Slammer' in trouble in the sixth.
The Shropshire man used his ring nous to see the contest through and, to his credit, continued to push forward until the final bell.
The result was in no doubt, though, as referee Gareth Morris awarded Cunningham the win and his first professional title.
He said: "I felt great in there. That was my first eight-rounder and I did it comfortably.
"After the first couple of rounds I got into my stride and started picking my shots. Kieron is known for a tight defence but I opened him up and hurt him.
"I have the utmost respect for Kieron. He's a gentleman and a good fighter. He's held this belt before and I know he wanted to win it again.
"It was a pleasure sharing a ring with him, but the better man won on the night.
"It's onwards and upwards now. I'm ready to push on."
Elsewhere on the card, Nuneaton light welterweight, Kristian Laight, took part in his 200th professional contest.
He didn't get the win he was hoping for, though, as he succumbed to his 184th loss following a 40-36 points defeat against Stoke debutant Kieran McLaren.
Kieran's cousin, Joshua McLaren, recorded a 40-36 victory Barnsley's Jamie Zaszlos.
Marcus Le Doux drew with fellow Stoke fighter Mark Till 38-38 and Chester's Nathan Clarke beat Trowbridge's Dan Carr 40-36.
