By Alexey Sukachev

York Hall, London - It's three out of three now as Liam Walsh (10-0, 7 KOs), the twin brother of Ryan Walsh and a younger bro of Michael Walsh, overcame a huge portion of adversity to emerge as a winner and "the new" Commonwealth super featherweight champion after a close, spirited victory over determined Ghanaian challenger Maxwell Awuku (20-2-1, 11 KOs). All three Walsh brothers were victorious and continued their unbeaten series.

Southpaw brawler Awuku, fighting for the first time out of Africa and for the second time abroad, came out of the Black continent with the same zeal and rigidness that appeared in early modern mankind almost 75 thousands years ago to become a dominant force in a history of the Earth.

Awuku was a bit smarter though not throwing himself right into a scorching heat but, oppositely, giving his younger rival a nice chance to showcase himself in front of a partisan crowd. Walsh, 24, wasn't there to be asked twice as he was a more active fighter of the two in the first couple of rounds. He used well-placed right stoppers and added body shots to bother Awuku time and again. The African fighter, however, applied a steady yet a bit lazy pressure to remind Wlash he was still there.

In round three, the Ghanaian got more active and probably took that stanza with a slightly better finish, while the fourth round was even. A local favourite gave his all to take the fifth by landing some clean left hooks and overhand rights, mostly at the very end of the round. But this splash of activity cost him much as he almost punched himself out while Awuku literally sapped his energy.

Round six saw a major turnaround as the African, obviously accroding his pre-fight plan, started to go at his opponent swinging wildly and roughing Walsh on his way in. It was Awuku's fight and he took an advantage of it becoming a better man in the sixth and almost stopping the tired Brit with big haymakers in the sevent. It looked like the fight could have been finished right there, in the eighth, after another series of Ghanaian's blows but Walsh not only somehow weathered this storm but gradually got better under fire at closing seconds of the stanza.

Rounds nine to twelve were even with neither boxer getting an edge. Liam Walsh was scoring more and displayed a refined boxing while Awuku was very dangerous with his wild hits and never stopped trying to land one big shot to get the job done. After twelve rounds of two-way action, BoxingScene saw it 115-114 - for the local fighter. Official scorecards were different and (on this reporter's mind) didn't fully reflect how close the fight had been: 117-112, 117-113 and a disgusting 119-111. Referee was Phil Edwards. Liam Walsh gets his first career belt, while WBA #15 Awuku produced one of his finest performances in four years since his stoppage win over former world champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba.

Michael Walsh (8-0, 8 KOs), a tiny bantamweight banger from Cromer, UK, didn't lose any time at all in getting his very next kayo victory. Retired soldier Michael, 26, who is one of three Walsh brothers taking part in tonight's tournament at York Hall in London, dropped his badly overmatched for Ian Bailey (5-7, no KOs) thrice in the first to get a much deserved stoppage. Bailey was down first after a huge right uppercut and then twice after big left hooks by Walsh. Referee stopped it almost immediately after the third knockdown, when Michael was all over Bailey.

The other brother Ryan Walsh (11-0, 4 KOs) was forced to work hard by Scottish journeyman James Ancliff (9-12-1, 1 KO) but ultimately dominated every minute of every round to get a well-earned points victory over eight rounds. This contest started as a wild brawl at middle range but soon turned into a war of attrition. Bigger, tougher and also by far less talented Ancliff was unable to score consistently and ate tons of Walsh's punches but employed dirty tactics to frustrate his opponent. The Scottish battler used a vast arsenal of tricks, including headbutting, rabbit punches, an excessive use of his ankles and much more, to be warned several time by referee Marcus McDonald but he has never been deducted a point. Walsh, 24, on the other hand, displayed a more conventional boxing to hit his opponent in spurts time and again, time ana again... Wlash was close getting the job done in the sixth but Ancliff survived, partially by spitting his mouthpiece in the most heated moment of the stanza. Walsh was once again near the stoppage in the last round but Ancliff made it to the final bell. BoxingScene saw it as a shutout: 80-71 - for rapidly rising Ryan Walsh.

Early Results Coutesy of Frank Warren

Debutants Billy Morgan, Bradley Skeete and Ahmet Patterson all got their careers off to winning starts at York Hall - but Peter McDonagh caused an upset.

Frank Warren's trio of new signings all won 40-36 as they kicked off the show in style. Patterson, who featured in the first fight, really caught the eye with a comprehensive victory over veteran Jason Nesbitt.

The 22-year-old was given a big build up by trainer Tunde Ajayi, but lived up to his star billing as he mixed well to both head and body.

Skeete was another who looked worth keeping an eye on. His slender frame belies some decent power, and there were occasions when he gave Smith some awkward moments.

The Midlander was "celebrating" his 100th professional contest, and was presented with a bottle of champagne by James DeGale at the final bell.

Last year's ABA champion Billy Morgan, was made to work hard against Dan Carr, but came through the test to give his noisy fans plenty to cheer about.

Peter McDonagh always puts up a decent account of himself, and so it proved against Curtis Woodhouse.

The former pro footballer had just resigned for Frank Warren, but lost to McDonagh 77-76, just his second loss.

It all came down to the final round, and McDonagh won it on work rate, almost battling Woodhouse to a standstill.

The "home" fighter was not happy with the decision from Marcus McDonnell, but it was a close one, and perhaps McDonagh deserves a bit of luck following a career where he has always given it his all.

Woodhouse was being lined up to fight Frankie Gavin, a man who had whitewashed McDonagh, but that one might not go ahead now.