Wins for Morecambe boxer Nelson Birchall and Lancaster's Walter Fury on Belfast bill

Morecambe boxer Nelson Birchall stayed unbeaten after his debut fight for Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren while Walter Fury from Lancaster made a winning start to his pro career.

Birchall beat Kevin Trana by a wide points decision in an action-packed bout at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Friday for his fourth consecutive pro victory.

Meanwhile Walter Fury, cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson, won on his pro debut on the same Belfast bill.

Nelson, nicknamed 'The Sexy One', dominated Trana with a series of eye-catching punches to body and head throughout the contest, but the Nicaraguan deserves plenty of credit for staying in there and being competitive throughout.

After a quiet opener controlled by Birchall, the Morecambe super featherweight looked close to a stoppage win in Round 2 when he buckled Trana's knees with a right hook. But his opponent's gumshield coming out bought him vital seconds to recover.

The brave Trana somehow survived, only to take further punishment in the third from Nelson's sickening body shots. 

The experienced Trana, who has 15 wins in 35 fights, did have some moments of success in the fourth round but didn't trouble Birchall, who continued to march forward behind his right jab and land clean.

In the fifth round Birchall forced Trana to the ropes after a solid uppercut and a flurry of straight shots, and landed at will towards the end of the round.

'The Sexy One' remained on top in the sixth, and although he did absorb a clean Trana right to the chin close-in, he kept walking his opponent down and staying busy to seal a 60-53 points win on the referee's card.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to be on these big Queensberry shows," said Birchall, who signed to Warren's Queensberry Promotions group in May.

"I'm young, I'm only 19, there's nothing to rush. First six rounder, I felt absolutely brilliant.

"I eat, sleep and breathe boxing. I showed it in there. 

"I'm a sexy slippery southpaw and keep tuned in, big performances are coming once again."

Also on the 'Belfast Brawl' show, Walter Fury won a clear four-round decision over Vasif Mamedov (pictured below).

With Morecambe coaches Bob Howard and Matt Catterall in his corner, the skliful Fury looked relaxed early on, popping out sharp punches behind his jab and switch-hitting at times.

With his hands low, Walter stayed in control in Round 2, getting through with jabs and rights as the stocky Mamedov offered little.

The rough Mamedov caught Fury on the chin in the third round, but with his head. Back came Fury with a one-two and a nice hook, as he continued to pick his punches well. Then suddenly Mamedov got through with two dangerous left hooks, his best punches of the fight.

Walter was back in control with fluid boxing in the final round, switching seamlessly from orthodox to southpaw and utilising his longer reach to deliver straight sharp shots to the head.

The decision was 40-36 in Fury's favour.

Middleweight Walter boxed numerous amateur contests in the Lancaster and Morecambe area before deciding to turn pro.

He dedicated his win to his late father Hughie, who also trained Tyson during the early years of his career at his gym in Skerton, Lancaster.

Speaking to Ring Walk Media afterwards, Walter said: "I enjoyed it more than I would have expected and can't wait for the next one.

"All the good stuff is yet to come, this is just the start.

"Bob said to me, stick to the gameplan, keep the jab going, be first, and said I can step it up a little bit if I want to.

"It was my first professional fight so there was a lot of pressure. I lost my dad a good time ago and I wanted to do him proud.

"I'm sure he'll be looking down on me now a proud man."