Melton boxer Stannard impresses on Birmingham return

A 600-strong audience packed into the Albany Hotel for the show with Stannard pitted against local Aston ABA favourite Jack Williams in the headline bout.

After missing the first six weeks of the new season with a hand injury, picked up in training, Stannard was eager to return to action, but faced an opponent four years his senior who boasted more than 60 fights.

It looked a daunting proposition for the 20-year-old who also had to contend with a vociferous partisan crowd.

A cagey start saw both boxers look to get the measure of their opponent before the round burst into life when combinations of punches were exchanged.

Stannard, competing in his 28th bout, then found his rhythm to pick off Williams with good movement and crisp punching.

Round two saw much of the same with Williams trying to get on the inside and disrupt Stannard’s rhythm, but in doing so earning a warning from the referee for use of the head.

The Leicestershire man continued to box with high energy and skill as Williams tried to land big punches in an attempt to catch the judges’ eye.

Both fighters received huge applause at the final bell, but the decision went to Stannard on a majority decision.

Stan’s dad Adrian said: “It was a huge win, boxing away from home against a vastly more experienced opponent in his own back yard and with local judges.

“The home spectators commented on Stan’s level of skill and believed his punches were sharper and cleaner.”

Stannard is back in action tomorrow (Friday) at Notts County’s Meadow Lane ground.