Boxer Little wins Central Area title

Little won on a convincing points verdict against the game Ryan Hardy, of Sheffield.

In the process, Little maintained his 100 per cent record as a professional, having now won 12 in a row.

Fleetwood referee Steve Gray gave it 98-94 to Little after 10 rounds of a cracking contest,

There was a scare along the way when Little sustained a cut to his left eye-lid in the first round.

It was the first injury of this type that the Kirkham boxer has had to deal with in his career, and it later required three stitches.

But in the fight Little reacted well to the setback and his corner had the situation under control.

Hardy, sensing that his best chance was to forced it early on, did so, but Little repelled his man with left jabs and some strikes to the body.

Hardy continued to come forward and was aggressive, but from the mid-point onwards he seemed to tire, and it was from this juncture on that Little assumed control.

There was little doubting the outcome by the finish, though Little will have learned a great deal from this challenging bout, as much as at any time in his pro career so far,

The near sell-out audience at the Blackpool venue certainly lapped up the contest as they did what turned out to be the only other fight on the bill.

Nathan Brough (Liverpool) beat Sam Matkin (Sheffield) on points for the Central Area light-welterweight title.