Stubbs master class

BOXING:

DARREN Stubbs was the toast of Shaw after lifting the vacant International Masters light-heavyweight title at a packed Tara Sports and Leisure Centre.

The local favourite won a unanimous points decision against Birmingham’s Hastings Rasini over 10, strength-sapping rounds.

Stubbs (38), who has been out of the ring since May of last year, had to call on all his energy reserves to see off an opponent who refused to go away.

Zimbabwe-born Rasini, a veteran of 74 contests, was put down in the seventh round with a straight right hand, but was back on his feet again after taking a count of eight.

And he kept the home fighter on his toes with dangerous left hooks in a non-stop contest which had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Stubbs’ trainer Jack Doughty, of Doughty’s Gym, said: “Darren has fought and beaten this opponent on two previous occasions, but Rasini has improved.

“He was in great physical condition and Darren had to work really hard.

“Darren, because of his excellent fitness, comes really strong in the later rounds.

“That’s when he starts to dominate a fight, but Rasini kept coming at him and it turned out to be real toe-to-toe slog.”

Stubbs, who was recording his 21st victory from 26 pro fights, is now looking to step up a level to a tilt at an English or British title.

On the undercard, Alan Winterbottom was awarded a points victory over Matin Mohammed — it was the Oldham featherweight’s second win in three pro contests — while Rochdale’s Anser Hussain and Anthony Hanna, from Birmingham, fought out a draw in a super-featherweight bout.

Ashton-under-Lyne featherweight Blaine Younis made a successful start to his pro career with a points win over Walsall’s Delroy Spencer.

Manchester’s Liam Cullen beat Courtney Owen, from Mansfield, on points in a light-heavyweight clash, and Huddersfield’s Liam Walsh was handed a points triumph over Manchester’s John Nesbitt in a light-welterweight showdown.