Morecambe boxer Reece MacMillan wins Central Area Title

Morecambe boxer Reece MacMillan fought the fight of his life to capture the Central Area Super Lightweight Title.

MacMillan put on a career best performance to decision 'Sugar' Kane Gardner by a single point in a tremendous scrap over 10 rounds at the Devere Whites Hotel at the Toughsheet Stadium in Bolton.

It was one of the fights of the year at domestic level, all action from bell to bell as both fighters gave their all in a bruising battle. 

The win was made the more remarkable as MacMillan had been the underdog going into the fight, having only boxed once in two-and-a-half years after a long medical lay-off.

"I thought it was very close, he was catching me with good jabs but I was answering back," MacMillan told the Boxing News YouTube channel after the fight.

"He's a very tough competitor, it was a great fight."

Reece started fast, displaying evasive head movement and two-fisted attacks. He then wobbled Gardner, (now 17-4) with a left, following up with a right to the head and a strong body punch in a fantastic first round for the Morecambe man. 

Gardner, boxing behind a high guard, started to get his jab working in an absorbing second round, but Reece (now 17-1) continued to force the action, bobbing and weaving his way inside to land eye catching body shots.

MacMillan's head movement and body work continued to be top drawer in Round 3 but his Manchester opponent was also having his success, bloodying Reece's nose. The round ended with a great exchange between the two warriors in what was developing into a terrific contest. 

Reece landed the better punches at the start of the fourth, but then Gardner landed a good right and for the first time, MacMillan was onto the back foot. 'Sugar' Kane had his best round so far but still had to take a cracking right from Reece before getting through with his own uppercut, MacMillan poking out his tongue to try to show Gardner that he wasn't hurt.

The pulsating action showed no signs of abating in the fifth. Every time Gardner had success, MacMillan fought back as both men landed quality shots during a furious back-and-forth battle near the ropes. 

It was toe to toe again in Round 6, as a Gardner left and right seemed to trouble MacMillan, but still relentless Reece fought back. Gardner took the round, though, with a strong finish including a wicked left to the body.

Round 7 began more quietly as both fighters deserved a breather, but Gardner ended it the better, landing a series of shots as MacMillan grinned and outstretched his hands after eating punches.

MacMillan showed his fighting heart in the eighth, ploughing forward with two-handed attacks, although the Manchester man continued to score with the more eye-catching punches to snap back Reece's head.

This nip and tuck fight was very much in the balance going into the ninth and both men knew it, throwing and landing with regularity. Gardner was on top but MacMillan's spirited response brought a roar from his supporters in a gruelling three minutes. 

Round 10 was fought at a sensational pace considering the 27 minutes of full-on battle that had gone before. Gardner seemed the stronger but every time he got through, Reece returned fire. MacMillan would not be denied, as these gallant warriors gave it their all to the final bell of a very close fight. 

The commentary team on the Boxing News YouTube channel felt that Kane Gardner had edged it, but Reece was announced the winner by a single point, 96-95 on the referee's card.

Gardner looked disgusted at the decision as Reece's trainer Bob Howard lifted MacMillan onto his shoulders in celebration.

But surely nobody could begrudge Reece his moment after he'd dug so deep over 10 scintillating rounds.

The fight was an eliminator for the English and British titles but there may be calls for a rematch after such a close and entertaining fight.

On the undercard, Troy Gallagher of Morecambe (pictured below with Reece MacMillan) won dominantly on points on his professional debut against Victor Edagha.

Light heavyweight Gallagher was aggressive from the off against the tricky London-based Italian.

Edagha, who has had 109 pro fights, looked to make life difficult for Troy who was roared on by a huge contingent of fans from the Morecambe area. 

Gallagher landed a good right to the chin in round 2, then had to be wary of wild swings coming back from his opponent before switching to southpaw.

Troy stalked his opponent behind the jab in the third, setting up a clean right and a follow up attack as the slippery Edagha tried his best to evade punishment. 

Gallagher began the final round with a left to the body and a good right over the top.The Morecambe man went southpaw again to land a strong straight left and continued to press the action to the final bell, ending a good learning experience against the awkward veteran. 

Gallagher was declared the winner 40-36.

MacMillan and Gallagher were both accompanied on the night by Bob Howard and Matt Catterall from Stone Hands Boxing in Morecambe. 

You can watch the full VIP Boxing show in Bolton on Saturday night at the Boxing News channel HERE.

Read more: INTERVIEWS: Boxers Reece MacMillan and Troy Gallagher ready for biggest fights of their careers - Beyond Radio