Adam Kettleborough targets titles after comeback victory

Boxer Adam Kettleborough wants to challenge for titles after winning his comeback fight on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old, from Newark, fought on the Carl Greaves-run show at Harvey Hadden Stadium, Nottingham, and earned a points victory in a super-lightweight clash against Iranian fighter Yaddollah Ghasemi.

Kettleborough had previously considered retiring after defeats against Matty Fagan and Robbie Barrett last year.

However, after undergoing surgery to have his tonsils removed at Christmas, which improved his overall health, he returned to the ring with a strong victory.

“I am pleased not just with the win, but also the performance,” Kettleborough said.

He said one aspect of boxing he had missed out on previously was challenging for belts, and he would like the opportunity to fight for a Midlands title.

Reflecting on the points win at Harvey Hadden, Kettle-borough said: “I did what I was told to do and, considering it was my first fight after the operation, it went very well.

“I came out without a scratch on my face. It was one of my better performances.

“I could have gone for the stoppage and, looking back at the tape, I did have him wobbling a bit, but at the time he was very ‘grabby’.

“He tried hard but he could see my boxing skills were superior. He was hanging on for the last few rounds.”

Kettleborough admitted he had been a little nervous after ten months out of the ring, but said he was pleased his training camp had gone well.

“When the music started playing I felt a bit anxious, but when you are in the ring it is like the flick of a switch and you become focused,” he said.

Promoter Carl Greaves, of Newark, said: “It was brilliant to see Adam back in the ring. He has had a lot of health issues and not been 100% fit in the past, but finally he has turned the corner.

“He boxed absolutely brilliantly and proved he is capable of going for belts and boxing at a higher level.”

Fellow Newark-based middle-weight Nathan McIntosh effectively fought with one hand in a points victory over Duane Green.

He was forced to pull out of a title fight with Nathon Smith after an injury to his right hand, but still wanted to appear and so took on Green.

Greaves said: “He wanted to box and so 95% of the time he used his left hand. Nathan put on a fantastic display.

“He showed a lot of skills and produced every kind of punch he could, as well as some strong footwork.”

McIntosh will next face undefeated Russian Sergey Lubkovich in Moscow, on April 5.

There was disappointment for Edwinstowe’s Jamie Williams, whose dreams of fighting for an English flyweight title were hit by a surprise points defeat to Conar Blackshaw.

“No one expected him to lose but he wasn’t at the races from the first bell, and didn’t do the things we spoke about beforehand,” said Greaves.

Sam Bowen and Kyle Haywood, also signed with Greaves, both won their bouts.