Michael McKinson continues racking up the wins as the unbeaten British welterweight recorded a wide unanimous decision won over Poland’s Przemyslaw Runowski at Eddie Hearn’s Fight Camp in Essex. 

McKinson had what seemed like a breakthrough win when he beat Chris Kongo in Gibraltar in March. It earned him a promotional deal with Matchroom, but not what would be regarded as a big fight yet. The Portsmouth boxer, who has held a string of minor belts, has yet to box for a British, Commonwealth or European title yet, despite being ranked No 4 in the world by the WBO – although he is nowhere in the other three governing bodies’ lists. 

But welterweight is a crowded division in the UK right now and there are only so many belts to go round. Conor Benn was forced down the minor belt route when attempts to organise a British title shot fell through. That title – as well as the Commonwealth title - is now held by Ekow Essuman, a fighter no self-respecting matchmaker will put their prospect near after his mauling of Chris Jenkins last month.  

Not that McKinson, 27, seems like the type of character that would sidestep anyone.  

Runowski, 27, had been to Britain before, when he lost his unbeaten record in 2019 in a landslide loss to Josh Kelly.  

He had more of an idea of how to deal with McKinson, but still his moments were fleeting as he tried and failed for ten rounds to get McKinson to stand and trade with him 

Southpaw McKinson boxed throughout on the backfoot, often with his hands down, trying to pick off Runowski whenever the Polish boxer lunged in. More effective than stylish, he picked him moments, picked his punches, built up an early lead and never threatened to relinquish it. 

There was a moment, in round two, when McKinson staggered Runowski with a left and threatened that he might be on his way to a first stoppage since 2017. But Runowski always threatened with his right, even though he seldom got close enough to throw it with any real menace, and that was enough to keep McKinson moving. He is now 21-0 with only two wins inside schedule. 

The decision was clear enough, though, as two judges had it 99-91 and one 98-92, as McKinson retained a WBO “global” welterweight belt.