Lee Haskins retained his British super-flyweight title with a comprehensive victory over the inexperienced Ross Burkinshaw.
Burkinshaw outclassed in Sunderland
Lee Haskins retained his British super-flyweight title with a comprehensive victory over 22-year-old Ross Burkinshaw.
The Bristol boxer showed the benefit of his greater experience to completely out-box the local hero, who was taking part in just his 10th professional fight.
The army rifleman was out-gunned by Haskins from the opening bell, frozen in a blizzard of artillery fire as the southpaw let his biggest shots go.
Burkinshaw barely threw a punch in the opening round and although he landed with the occasional straight right hand over the next six minutes, Haskins was literally laughing at his opponent.
The champion, making the first defence of his title, landed with both hands at will and the youngster already had swelling around the eyes at the start of the fourth.
To his credit, Burkinshaw came out stronger but it only gave Haskins more opportunities to get his shots home, and a left-right-left combination saw referee Ian John-Lewis step in as the Sheffield fighter was about to take a knee.
The youngster's corner appeared unhappy with the decision but at 22, there will be other days for Burkinshaw.
As for Haskins, he takes his record to 19-2 and moves a step closer to a unification fight with undefeated commonwealth title holder Don Broadhurst.
Easy for Jeffries
Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries retained his unbeaten record with a first round stoppage victory over Ilya Shakuro of Belarus.
The super-middleweight floored his opponent with a sharp left hook to the body in the opening minute, and Shakuro never recovered.
Sunderland's favourite fighter continued to rain down the blows as Shakuro opted to fight fire with fire, but the end came after one minute 36 seconds with the hapless European trapped on the ropes with no means of escape.
The impressive Jeffries made it three wins from three and is already capable of a step up in class.
"I'd like to get some more rounds under my belt, but if I keep stopping them in the first or second round there's nothing I can do about it," he said.
"I'm really hungry, that's why I was a bit hyped up in there. I done it though, so I'm happy."
