By Matt Bevan

Luke Crowcroft continued his run down the comeback trail, as he secured an excellent fifth round stoppage win over Cello Renda, securing a future shot at the English super-middleweight title in the process, at the Doncaster Dome on promoter Stefy Bull’s latest offering.

Crowcroft started quickly, working behind a solid jab, before he dropped Renda with a heavy right hand, that looked to have the Peterborough veteran reeling. However, Renda is made of sterner stuff than most and he dragged himself back into contention over the second and third, as the two men went toe-to-toe.

Crowcroft never wilted under the pressure though, finding the target with regularity in the fourth, as each shot seemingly took that little bit more out of Renda. A big left hand early in the fifth almost emptied the tank and Crowcroft was not about to let him off the hook for a second time.

The Doncaster “Beast” roared on by his home crowd unloaded on the stricken Renda, who was well and truly in survival mode. It was too much in the end as referee John Latham stepped in to save him for another day and hand Crowcroft the biggest win of his career.

Lee Appleyard prepared himself for a title shot in November with an enjoyable six round win over Michael Williams. It was given as 60-54 on the card to the Rotherham man, which was perhaps a tad harsh on Williams, who is as tough and as game as they come.

Appleyard looked excellent when he boxed behind his jab, but ultimately couldn’t resist the urge to let his hands go and please his loyal faithful, which allowed Williams the opportunity to come back and even finish the stronger of the pair.

Levi Kinsiona was a very impressive winner, handing Fonz Alexander a rare stoppage defeat and looking very good in the process. Kinsiona poured on the pressure from the off and landed with consummate ease, before it was stopped in the dying seconds of the third by referee Andy Brook.

Jimmy Joe Flint improved to 3-0, going the distance for the first time as well, as he got past the durable Youssef Al-Hamidi. Flint was a 40-36 winner on the card, putting in a smart, composed performance against Al-Hamidi, who racked up some serious mileage in the ring, as he refused to commit until the fourth. The result was never in doubt however.

Finally, Lewis Booth also maintained his unbeaten ledger with a shutout, 40-36 win over Lee Hallett. It was routine for “2Smooth” who is now 9-0 and due a step-up in his next fight.