TYSIE GALLAGHER retained her British and Commonwealth titles in stylish fashion, while also dedicating the victory to her late mother-in-law, Diane Cleary.
The super-bantamweight slickster was forced to process the death of her loved one in January, shortly after being confronted with the shocking news of her murder.
As a result, Gallagher’s previous fight took place exactly a year ago, yet there appeared to be no ring rust at the Park Community Arena, Sheffield, earlier this evening.
As for her opponent, Ellie Hellewell, it was just over four months ago that she outpointed Stevi Levy, who lost to Gallagher, 10-2, last year, with a classy performance in Doncaster.
But despite the greater activity being on her side, the 25-year-old ultimately had no answer when it came to solving the puzzle of her crafty opponent.
Both combatants engaged in a cagey opener, but it was Hellewell, 7-1 (1 KO), who got the better of a particularly memorable exchange, landing a snappy flurry with her long levers.
Again, the local fighter made expert use of her spindly frame in the second round, poking out her southpaw jab whenever Gallagher attempted to close down the distance.
But after a more encouraging third frame, Gallagher began to ease herself into the contest and, before long, was starting to enjoy greater success with her eye-catching counters at close quarters.
All the while, the 27-year-old would seamlessly slide her slippery feet out the back door – not giving her opponent an opportunity to fire back – before rubber stamping her authority in the middle rounds.
Hellewell, in fairness, conducted a promising response in the sixth visit, utilising her unassuming attacks at long range, but then it was Gallagher who came back firing in the later rounds.
At which point, it appeared that the Luton technician had firmly restored her control, gliding in and out of the pocket with an added degree of fluidity.
It came as no surprise, then, when scorecards of 98-93, 97-93 and 97-94 all swung in favour of the champion, who expressed her desire to face either unified world champion Ellie Scotney or domestic rival Ramla Ali.
