Anth Hardy is back in business and, as he proved at Rainton Meadows Arena, back in the groove.
Horden’s ‘Hitman’ returned after a 15-month absence last Friday night on the Tommy Ward v Alvaro Rodriguez undercard, outpointing Michael Williams over four rounds for his 10th career victory.
It wasn’t just about the win for the Gus Robinson Developments southpaw, it was the manner in which he went about his work.
A bout with Williams, who had gone the distance with the dangerous Tom Hill at the Summer Rumble, looked an awkward first hurdle back for the Hartlepool and Horden boxer.
But Hardy cleared it in good style.
His jab and double jab worked like a treat and he rattled off combination after combination, mixing his shots cleverly between head and body.
Williams is a tough cookie but he could do little to stop Hardy scoring and referee Ron Kearney scored the bout 40-36.
Lady Luck has sidestepped Hardy for too long – injury and fights falling through have littered the three years since losing a split decision to Joe Hughes for the English title.
But the 26-year-old is back and ready to make a move.
Gus Robinson Developments team-mate Jordan Ellison also completed his 10th pro win on the undercard of the IBF European super-bantamweight title match by beating Northern Ireland’s Alec Bazza.
Since joining the Hartlepool team, the former Horden ABC fighter has opted to box on the road, with a number of notable successes against unbeaten prospects and ticket-sellers.
But the 23-year-old, from Seaham, enjoyed a rare home appearance by outpointing the Belfast journeyman over four rounds.
It was a competitive affair with the boxers involved in a close-quarters contest.
By the third, Ellison was putting his stuff together nicely and in the fourth he put down an off-balance Alec.
Bazza made it to the last bell where he deserved his share of the applause of a packed crowd, with Ellison a 40-36 victor from Mr Kearney.
Gus Robinson Developments colleague, Greg O’Neil, had been due to fight at Bolton the same night only for unbeaten home boxer Ryan Wheatley pull out.
Words: Roy Kelly Pictures: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
