Joe Maphosa has taken another confident stride closer to the big fights with his sixth professional triumph.
Matched with Gyula Doda over four rounds at Leicester Arena, the 24-year-old won every session against the Hungarian.
While his opponent was three years his junior, he boasted more experience, 80 rounds completed, compared to Joe’s 20.
But the Thornaby flyweight looked superior to the boxer who holds the Universal Boxing Organisation’s international super-fly belt.
While UBO might not be at the top of the sanctioning body tree, it’s proof Doda knows his way around a ring.
But not as well as ‘Smokin’ Joe’ who controlled matters from the outset.
He had constant joy with the left to Doda’s body and after jolting his opponent towards the end of the third round, the Budapest boxer was rescued by the bell as the Frank Warren promoted prospect unleashed a barrage on the ropes.
Doda made it to the end of the contest, but Maphosa was a clear 40-36 winner.
Coach Imran Naeem said: “Joe looked very sharp against a tough and rugged opponent.
“The shots we had been working on were coming off, particularly the lead hook to the body.
“His defence was good and the only time he was caught was with a headbutt.”
That is likely to be his final four-rounder with the Tees Active Academy graduate set to step up at the Christmas Cracker show in Dunston on Saturday, November 24.
“We’re going to start ramping it up at the Lancastrian Suite with a six rounder,” added Imran.
It completed a successful eight days for the NPBA gym after points victories for Luke Cope and Mohammed Waqas seven days earlier at the Tear Up On Tyneside event at Dunston.
Words: Roy Kelly
