IT WAS a good week for Barnsley boxing at both professional and amateur level.
Sonnyboy Hughes from Darfield won in the quarter-finals of the National Championships while Blaine Wilson, from Shafton, won his professional debut.
Wilson, 20, beat late replacement Anthony Morton in Oldham on Saturday at lightweight.
Scotsman Morton, who was also on debut, was put down twice in the second round before the referee stopped the contest.
Wilson said: “I really enjoyed it. It was brilliant. I wanted to make a statement and get a good start, put a show on and make sure everyone enjoyed it.
“It was a steady start, just finding my feet and getting comfortable in the atmosphere then I stepped it up in the second round.
“I dropped him with a body shot then stopped him with a right hand over the top.
“We sold about 130 tickets for people from Barnsley.
“The atmosphere was brilliant. It was wicked to have that much support.”
Wilson was not fazed by the change in opponent and is hoping for more success next year.
He said: “It was a last-minute thing. The other opponent the day before but my manager found a replacement.
“I didn’t mind the change, it didn’t really affect me.
“I will probably fight again at the start of next year.
“I want to have a big 2024, with a lot of fights, and to make a name for myself then to be eyeing up some titles at the end of year or early 2025.”
Hughes also enjoyed success.
Competing at 54kg, the 17-year-old has won the Yorkshire and northern regional championships in the previous two weekends.
He is now due to fight in the national development finals in Birmingham this weekend, with a semi-final on Saturday then a final on Sunday.
