Southern Area title triumph for Luton boxer Frankie Storey

Luton boxer Frankie Storey was crowned Southern Area Super Bantamweight champion after beating Ryan Walker at York Hall on Saturday.

​The 25-year-old had gone into the bout with eight straight victories, as he was up against 32-year-old Walker who had previously held the belt, while was protecting a record of 12 victories and seven losses from 19 fights. The first round saw Storey begin well, becoming more confident with his jab and setting up a big back hand, as he looked to assert himself in the early stages.

The Lutonian upped the tempo during an action-packed second round as he landed some clean sheets shots including a lovely overhand left, with Walker beginning to look tired as the pace increased. Storey kept up his dominance in the third as he looked to land his uppercut, while Walker appeared out of options and was starting to be picked off by his opponent’s weightier shots.

The fourth round saw a clash of heads leave Storey with a cut above his left eye, Walker trying to target that area as the fight progressed, but the Luton boxer was still intent on firing back at will. With the bout reaching the latter stages, Storey began to step it up and launch his offence at Walker who looked like he was having to resort to holding in his bid to remain in the fight.

Another solid two rounds followed for the Luton fighter as he was clearly up on the judges’ scorecards and intent on getting his opponent out of there. Walker remained game though, able to prevent Storey landing a telling blow in the final stages of the contest. Going into the last round, Storey had enough energy to take it to his now exhausted opponent, but try as he might, he couldn’t get the second knockout of his career. It mattered not though, Storey taking the fight 99-91 on the scorecards, as he won the first title of his career in style.