WEEKEND REPORT

Frank Maloney has a new British champion after nice-guy Brian Rose took the light-middleweight belt from Prince Arron in Wigan.

Rose, written off by the bookmakers and most pundits, claimed a split points decision to the delight of more than 300 fans who made the trip from Blackpool to support the 26 year-old.

Ringside judges John Keane and Victor Loughlin had Rose ahead by scores of 117-113 and 116-113 respectively, while Phil Edwards had Arron in front 115-114 after 12 nip-and-tuck rounds at the Robin Park Leisure Centre.

Rose (10st 13lbs 8ozs) was a worthy winner.

He came with a game plan and stuck to it to win clearly enough for most ringsiders.

They had sparred together previously and by the looks of it, Rose learned more from those sessions than Arron, making the first defence of the title he took from Sam Webb in 11 thrilling rounds in May.

Rose, so focussed, kept his hands high and chipped away effectively with rights and counters.

Despite being three inches shorter than Arron (10st 13lbs 12ozs), Rose repeatedly beat the Droylesden beanpole to the jab.

After four rounds, Arron looked to be behind and was struggling to find a way into the fight. Unlike the Webb fight, Arron couldn't find the punches to turn the fight his way – he struggled to time his shots throughout – and although he did better in the middle rounds, the defending champion could never dominate Rose.

Whenever Arron did land cleanly – and that wasn't often – Rose would come back with better Steve Williams (9st 13lbs 8ozs) overpowered Manchester ticket-seller Karl Place (10st) inside two rounds in their British title eliminator.

Both like to come forward, but Place was forced onto the back foot in the opener as Williams targeted his body.

Williams made his breakthrough in the second with a body shot. Place was forced to give ground and Williams unloaded to body and head with both hands. Place escaped the ropes on unsteady legs, but Williams hunted him down, unloaded again and the referee jumped in.

Bolton welterweight Rick Godding (10st 12lbs) looks set to take the step up to championship level in 2012 after extending his winning record to 14-0.

Godding was too skilled for in-form Vinny Woolford (10st 10lbs 8ozs) and at times, his textbook skills were a joy to watch.

Rick is a neat, well-schooled technician and although Vinny kept coming forward, all his did was walk into punches. The referee scored it 60-55.

Nick Quigley, beaten finalist in light-middleweight 'Prizefighter' earlier this year, out punched Dee Mitchell throughout six entertaining rounds.

Quigley was happy to stay in range, slipping, blocking and showing a good variety of punches. Mitchell tried to find the gaps with heavy-handed wallops to keep it competitive. It was a good fight.

Jay Metcalf, son of former Liverpool legend Shea Neary, came through a tough debut against British Masters light-middleweight champion Kevin McCauley (11st 4ozs).

Metcalf (11st 3lbs 5ozs) was cut in the opening round following a clash of heads and like his father, showed a natural left hook. After four rounds, the referee scored it 40-37.

Black Country southpaw Ryan Aston is still punch perfect after four fights following a one-round wipe out of Joe Jones.

Aston softened up the Welshman with body shots, backed him into a corner, then decked him for the full count with a left hand.

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