Jack Rafferty has been working away in the shadows, making sure he was ready to snatch the first major opportunity that presented itself.

On Saturday night in Manchester, Rafferty announced himself as a major threat to the biggest names on the domestic 140lb scene. The unbeaten 28-year-old from Shaw blew away former English lightweight champion and current Central Area super lightweight champion, Lee Appleyard, inside two minutes to win the Commonwealth super lightweight title. The manner of the victory should also make ‘The Demolition Man’ a serious contender for Dalton Smith’s British belt.

Rafferty found his range from the opening seconds of the fight. He couldn’t miss the more experienced Appleyard with his jab and was able to step just out of range and make the Yorkshireman fall short. He began to put the right hand behind that jab and floored Appleyard heavily, almost sending him out of the ring.

Appleyard got to his feet unsteadily and was allowed to continue but Rafferty coldly and cleanly finished the fight with more straight right hands. It was a heavy knockout and, thankfully, after receiving some medical assistance, Appleyard was able to leave the ring under his own steam. The official time was 1.54 of the opening round. 

Rafferty is now unbeaten in 22 fights, 13 of those ending inside the distance and won his first title in emphatic fashion. 2024 should be a big year for the 28-year-old. 

Earlier in the night, Salford’s Lewis Wood won the Central Area super featherweight title, beating the previously undefeated John Edwardson (6-1) after a sensational ten round battle. 

Wood (7-2) is talented and has an extremely fan friendly stye but has been inconsistent in his career. Over the past six months, however, he has settled down and last night he produced the performance of his career.

The fight started at a frantic pace, Wood looking to get close and use his customary body attack but Edwardson met him head on and floored Wood heavily in the second with a right hand that seemed to land high on the forehead. Wood regrouped well and took over. There were some outstanding exchanges and Edwardson did well to remain standing after some of the body shots he was forced to absorb but Wood was always a step ahead. 

Area title fights never disappoint and this was one of the North West’s best fights of the year. Wood deserved the 96-94 decision victory he received and has his first title.