Kash claims IBF European crown
Kash Ali (19-1, 10KOs) served notice of his intent in the heavyweight division by dismantling tough Czech Tomas Salek (15-3, 13KOs) to win the vacant IBF European crown.
Referee Howard Foster waved the fight off in the third round after Salek was floored for the second time from a searing uppercut.
The heavy-handed Czech arrived for the outdoors show at the Sheffield Arena with a reputation as a big hitter but ran into a sharp and well conditioned Ali.
After getting the measure of his man in the opening round, Ali busted Salek's nose in the second round and then had him down.
Salek continued to plough game forward, walking onto some stiff jabs and unable to fend off Ali's upper cuts when up close.
A nasty eye cut in the third round added to his problems before Ali finished the job in what was his fourth win since serving a suspension for biting David Price two years ago.
The European crowns comes in his 20th pro fight and gives the 29-year-old, trained by Richard Towers in Rotherham, a world ranking and a platform to bigger things.
"It feels great," said Ali. "I paced myself a bit and landed a shot we've been working on in the gym and got him out of there.
"I feel like I'm coming into my prime now. I'm a threat to anyone in the heavyweight division."
In the other title fight on the night, Conah Walker remained undefeated and retained his Midlands Area welterweight title against two-time contender Levi Ferguson with a very narro 96-95 points score. A count in the sixth round cost the Walsall boxer the decision.
Promising super-middleweight Mark Jefers moved up to 12-0 with a fourth-round stoppage win over Czech Tomas Bezvoda.
Jack Fay and Rhys Farnhill both won their pro debuts on points over foru-rounds.
Zak Miller and Ciaran McVarnock both continued their unbeaten recordswith four-round points wins.
Dan Catlin and Josh Holmes both moved up to 6-0 with stoppage victories.
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