PROFESSIONAL boxing made its debut at state-of-the-art AJ Bell Stadium on the very banks of the Manchester Ship Canal with this five-bout show, which saw not a round being dropped in the eveningโ€™s two six-rounders.

Tattooed Manchester lightweight Ben Capps claimed the spoils against Oldhamโ€™s naturally lighter late sub Taka Bembere while Glossop super-lightweight Adam Hague did likewise against far more experienced opposition in the shape of Worcesterโ€™s Michael โ€œMad Manโ€ Mooney.

Zimbabwe-born Bembere switched this way and that, not always successfully, in an attempt to evade Benโ€™s advances. While never in particularly big trouble, he finished with a bump above the left eye after heads clashed late on.

Hague, with Lee Beard in the corner, bloodied Mooneyโ€™s nose slightly en route to victory and the Worcester man finished marked under the left eye too.

There was an interesting battle of moustaches in the four-round super-middleweight clash between Stockport first-timer Jack Booth and Lydney road warrior Lewis van Poetsch. Well-supported Booth, trained by Matthew Hatton and dubbed โ€œJack the Ripperโ€ was the recipient of a 40-37 decision victory at the finish.

A hospital porter whose debut had been put back following a hand injury, Jack looked strong throughout and could well be worth keeping an eye on.

Another boxing Booth tasted victory over four as Joe Pennington-trained Manchester novice Dan Booth took every session against Stourbridgeโ€™s double centurion Kevin McCauley, who while bested replied sufficiently to keep it interesting.

Last of the shorter contests saw Irelandโ€™s Liam Gaynor, boxing out of Bolton under the guidance of Alex Matvienko, come out on top in a watchable tussle against Brett Fidoe. The Evesham terrier surrendered some early ground to the Tallaght native but ensured that things remained a good deal closer in the second half.

The eveningโ€™s referee Mr Lyson scored 39-37 for Liam. 

The Verdict Nice to see every visiting boxer having a go.

FULL RESULTS
Ben Cappsย (139lbs 2oz), 17-5-2 (7), w pts 6ย Taka Bembereย (135lbs 6oz), 1-10 (1);ย Adam Hagueย (142lbs), 15-1-1 (2), w pts 6ย Michael Mooney(142lbs 2oz), 9-65-2 (3);ย Liam Gaynorย (129 1/2lbs), 3-0, w pts 4ย Brett Fidoeย (132lbs), 13-54-5 (6);ย Dan Boothย (157lbs 2oz), 2-0 (1), w pts 4Kevin McCauleyย (163 1/4lbs), 15-196-12;ย Jack Boothย (169lbs 6oz), 1-0, w pts 4ย Lewis van Poetschย (172lbs 2oz), 9-107-2 (2).