Local hero delights fans in UFN Promotions bill-topper
Ryan Mac bade farewell to the thriving unlicensed boxing scene on Saturday night, capping off a successful stretch in the code and setting his sights firmly on turning professional.
Mac has long been an advocate for legitimising unlicensed boxing as both a sport and a spectacle, but also understands that greater prizes await in the pro ranks and so now, as one of the most experienced and respected faces on the “semi pro” circuit, he is keen to take his shot at the big time.
And he couldn’t have asked for a better farewell to the scene in which he made his name, as he scored his most impressive win to date; a dominant second-round TKO of Rocky Rudkin to secure the inaugural UFN British cruiserweight championship.
The win was that much more special for Mac given that it also came on the back of an extended layoff as he recovered from surgery to a shoulder injury that had last year threatened to curtail his boxing career altogether.
But the Old Colwyn resident – who is also a highly regarded coach at his own facility, Mac’s Gym – showed no signs of ring rust or any physical impairment as he delivered a sharp, fast and powerful performance that put Rudkin, a Leicester man with more than 50 bouts on his ledger, on the deck three times before the referee stopped the bout as the bell rang to end round two.
Rudkin admitted later that this was the first time he’d ever been beaten inside the distance, but said “there’s no shame whatsoever to lose to such talent” and that he “can’t wait to see how far [Mac] can take it” as a pro.
He’s not the only one. The packed house that turned up for Ultimate Fight Night – the debut show by UFN Promotions – will be keen to witness the next step of Ryan Mac’s journey, too.
Ex-pro Osh back where it all began
One man who’s already made a successful raid on the pro ranks is Llandudno’s Osh Williams, who conducted an undefeated welterweight campaign in 2020.
Williams turned over after a storied amateur career and a long run on the unlicensed scene in which he built his name as a fan favourite.
After proving himself in the pros, Williams then turned his attention to coaching – but soon got the itch to step back into the ring himself.
A short-lived retirement was therefore called off as Osh admitted to himself he loved nothing better than a fight – and he was welcomed back with open arms by UFN Promotions and a loyal fanbase who had always backed him over the years.
He, too, was clearly not hampered by any ring rust – he has, after all, been in the gym almost every day even when “retired” – and put in a dominant performance against old foe James Darkes.
Williams and Darkes had been caught up in a five-year rivalry – albeit a good-natured one – but Osh closed it with emphatic finality on the UFN undercard, winning all three rounds after dropping the Mancunian in the opener with what the Welshman described as the best left hook he’d ever thrown.
Darkes bravely made it to the final bell, but there was only ever going to be one winner.
Now, we await any decision from Williams as to whether this was his “last dance”, or if there’s still more to come.
Parade of champions rounds off a stacked card
The mammoth 16-fight show also featured another four title fights, with UFN crowning three boxing champs and one kickboxing, to set the scene for intriguing further competition down the line.
Joining Mac as British boxing rulers were local teenagers Mateo Soloma and Jack Jones.
Soloma took middleweight honours at just 18 with a hard-fought decision win over Wrexham veteran Pawel Cichonski, while Jones – a year older at 19 – boxed with poise and maturity beyond his years to outscore David Lis, a stablemate of Cichonski, at light-heavyweight.
The rangy youngster Jones added to a reputation forged in kickboxing, and it was that sport which served up a British title thriller between the experienced Lewis Roberts and the promising younger man Steve Benn.
Benn put in an incredible effort in what was only his third bout, but ultimately Roberts’ aggression and greater seasoning won the day.
And another veteran added more gold to his collection as the hugely popular Callum Webber of Buckley was crowned Welsh light-heavyweight champion after repelling a spirited effort from visitor Ant Evans.
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