Having seemed highly unfortunate to draw with Jack Cullen at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in August, Zak Chelli illustrated his pedigree by breezing to victory in the 168lbs BOXXER tournament at the BT Sport Studios in London on Tuesday night.
Londoner Chelli (9-1-1, 4 KOs) won as he pleased, easing to a points victory in his semi-final against Somerset-based Bulgarian Vladimir Georgiev (30-27, all three cards) before flooring Cumbrian Mike McGoldrick three times en route to a second-round triumph in the final.
“My one-hour runs were harder than this,” admitted Chelli afterwards. “I don’t believe it was a risk. If you are going to be the best, you have to be willing to fight anyone. Now I want titles. A European title, a British title, give me a title.”
Chelli, who turns 23 in 15 days’ time, picked McGoldrick apart with his adroit bodywork, which teed up a knockdown in the first before referee Bob Williams waved it off after two more body shots in the second. McGoldrick had previously topped Liverpool’s Harry Woods in his semi-final (29-28, twice, and 30-27).
Meanwhile, Albanian favourite Florian Marku floored Sheffield’s Muma Mweemba three times in scoring a first-round stoppage at welter whilst cruiserweight hope Mikael Lawal registered a clear-cut points win over fellow Londoner Ossie Jervier. Referee Keiran McCann scored 60-54.
All images: Courtesy of BOXXER.