By Elliot Foster
James Metcalf passed the toughest test of his career with flying colours.
The Liverpool super-welterweight, who is now 14-0 (6 KOs), outpointed Serge Ambomo over eight rounds at Greenbank Sports Academy.
Metcalf, 28, knocked his man, who suffered his first loss in his sixth outing, down late in the third round and was subject to varying degrees of pressure throughout the fight, but looked very good as he moved towards titles.
He will now, after being handed a 78-75 decision by referee Darren Sarginson, be targeting belts and, with the Irish title mooted as a potential shot in the near future, he looks to be a force to be reckoned with in the 154-pound division.
Thirty-year-old Olympian Ambomo, who represented Cameroon four years ago in London before absconding from the Athletes’ Village to stay in the country, to his credit, gave it his best but ultimately came up short against a classy operator.
Metcalf’s next move is set to be revealed in due course.
Meanwhile, Tommy Carus impressed on his MGM debut.
The Liverpool super-lightweight was the aggressor throughout and scored a points victory over Ali Wyatt (6-48-2, 3 KOs) by a margin of 40 points to 36.