By Chris Williamson
Manchester - British light-heavyweight champion Hosea 'The Hammer' Burton walked to the ring to MC Hammer "Can't touch this", which may refer to the Lonsdale belt he's yet to defend.
The plan was originally to defend against Frank Buglioni, who is sidelined with injury.
Burton's cousin, world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, made a surprise appearance at ringside to support Burton. Burton moved to (18-0) with a third round stoppage in a marking time fight against Mexican Fernando Castaneda, now (24-11).
Castaneda had lost in five rounds to Buglioni on his last UK visit a year ago and although brave, is levels below this class. Burton dropped the Mexican heavily twice in the third round before the referee rightly stepped in. Castaneda, brave to the end, complained bitterly.
Welterweight Connor Benn prowled to the ring to the traditional 'Big Ben' chimes and displayed again mannerisms and a style of fighting which can appear a carbon copy of his father Nigel, particularly his vicious hooks and uppercuts.
Benn attacked gutsy and game opponent Ross Jameson (1-1) from the first bell. Jameson walked to his corner after the first with his nose already bloody. It became a more competitive contest as it wore on and Benn was caught in patches, in particular by a flush right hand near the final bell. Young Benn is just 19 years old and one feels even on the way up will be involved in exciting contests. The six round bout bout was scored 60-55 as Benn moves to (4-0).
Cumbrian light-heavyweight Liam Conroy (now 11-3-1) is on a four fight winning streak following a six round points win over Frenchman Baptiste Castegnaro (8-10).
Chorley middleweight Mark Jeffers aimed to leave Ben Heap in a pile but had to settle for a points win over four rounds. It was Jeffers second contest while Heap suffered his seventh defeat without a win.
Local Hattersley man Marcus Morrison moved to (12-0) with a first round KO over Frenchman Matioze Royer. Royer sports a losing record, now (15-27-6) but has mixed in decent class, notably Christopher Rebrasse and Indian sensation Vijender Singh back in April. Morrison, billed as "sweet M and M" by MC Craig Stephen, was on Manchester City's books as a youngster and brought sizeable support.
Popular local debutant Lyndon Arthur beat Hull's Andy Neylon, who moves to (2-12-1) with a 40-35 victory over four rounds at light-heavy. Neylon was reasonably stubborn but Arthur looks like one to watch, displaying a sharp jab and heavy right hooks and uppercuts. A barrage of blows to head and body forced Neylon to the canvas towards the end of the fourth. Good sportsmanship was shown by both at the end of the contest.
Warrington's Nathan 'The Wire' Wheatley had his fifth four round outing (all points wins as he beat Trowbridge's Dan Blackwell (7-57) on points at middleweight. Wheatley, who won 39-38, has his next contest already lined up for November as he starts campaigning over eight rounds against Alistair Warren.
