It was undoubtedly the night of the Josh.
Sunderland’s Josh Kelly was not the only Josh to be crowned champion at the Utilita Arena.
Yes, the 31-year-old delivered a first world title for Sunderland when he outpointed Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF light-middleweight, super-welterweight or junior middleweight, depending on your cup of tea.
Before that, popular Yorkshireman Josh Padley took the European super-featherweight belt with a second-round stoppage of outgunned Frenchman Jaoud Belmehdi.
But earlier in the show came one of the bouts of the night as Josh Blenkiron won the vacant Northern Area lightweight championship with the narrowest of points wins over Robbie Colman.
Referee Ron Kearney scored it 96-95 but that tells little of a gripping 10-round tussle that you could not take your eyes off for one moment.
It had a familiar pattern of Colman coming forward throughout, applying front-foot pressure, with Blenkiron landing with a particularly sharp right.
Your punch-lines writer had Jarrow’s ’Showman’ up at half-way, though our card then saw Blenkiron edge the scoring in rounds six to eight.
Round nine would prove vital. The pair exchanged body shots and Colman lost his gum shield for the second time in the bout and when it dropped to the canvas again, the Sunderland official warned him a point would be deducted if it happened again.
Colman came out firing in the last round and with both rivals doused in claret, there was no question each had given everything.
Unfortunately for Robbie, his shield came out again and Mr Kearney duly took a point off the 26-year-old.
It was to be a pivotal moment with MC David Diamante announcing unbeaten Sunniside boxer Blenkiron a 96-95 winner.
But for the lost point, the derby would have ended dead level.
‘Blenka’ was able to celebrate but both fighters deserve tremendous credit for their efforts.
Click here to read about Josh Kelly’s win over Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Should Josh Kelly defend his IBF world title this summer at the Stadium of Light, a Blankiron-Colman re-match in Sunderland’s stadium is a must .
One re-match we don’t want to see is a repeat of Saturday night’s of the IBF lightweight title meeting of Turkey’s unbeaten Elif Nur Turhan and Taylah Gentzen.
Turhan is famed for her punching power but barely landed a shot as she missed wildly on countless occasions.
She was the aggressor but Gentzen, a serving member in the Australian army, probably got through with the most punches which actually reached their target.
Turhan got the nod on a split decision but it was a fight to forget.
Early in the show, Lee Rogers got to enjoy the big stage again when he picked up his best win yet with a 60-54 shut out of Erick Omar Lopez from, referee Neil Close.
The experienced Mexican arrived in Toon having spoiled a couple of unbeaten records of late but he could not put a dent in the Newcastle talent.
The Jobes Boxing star made it a magnificent seven in a row and, like Blenkiron and Colman, will get an invite back when Matchroom return.
Kiaran Macdonald will surely be high on that list after an accomplished professional debut.
The Sunderland southpaw, a former Commonwealth Games and European Championship silver medallist, looked good in outpointing Marius Vysniauskas, a former opponent in his amateur days.
Macdonald, who is based in Manchester with Anthony Crolla, put the Lithuanian down in the last round but the Baltic battler reached the final bell where Dean Wilson marked it 40-35.
All in all, a good night, especially if your name’s Josh.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
