NORTHAMPTON boxer Nathan Reeve stopped Terry Broadbent to claim the British Masters super-flyweight title at the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday night.
Reeve showed his resilience as he recovered from a barrage of Broadbent punches to land the telling blows in the eighth round, leaving referee Rob Chalmers with no choice but to call a halt to the fight.
It was a sensational showing from the 22-year-old home town hot-shot, who had suffered nasty cuts behind his left ear and under his left eye.
Leeds-based boxer Broadbent brought vocal support and some real power-punching, but he couldn’t get the better of resolute Reeve.
The travelling fighter was greeted with a wall of noise as he entered the packed room, with a number of fans having made the journey from Yorkshire.
But Reeve enjoyed a similarly warm welcome as the Northampton boxing faithful got set to cheer their hero to victory.
It didn’t look too good for the former Far Cotton ABC amateur early on, though, as Broadbent, after aiming a cheeky wink in the direction of his supporters, started strongly.
He was able to dominate the early stages of the 10-round scrap as he hunted Reeve down and pinned him to the ropes.
But Reeve was counter-punching well and he tussled to get into the ascendancy.
He managed to corner his opponent and flashed in a succession of punches which ignited the atmosphere and gave the home fans hope.
Broadbent had enjoyed a strong second round, but Reeve had soaked everything up and snuck in with a rattling right hook just before the bell, which had the Yorkshireman wobbling.
But still Broadbent came. And he was doing damage. Reeve was bleeding from two separate wounds and his corner had work to do to stem the flow after the fifth and sixth rounds.
By the time the eighth round had arrived the bout was in the balance, with the visiting fighter seemingly having the edge.
But Broadbent, who appeared in confident mood every time he returned to his corner, hadn’t bargained for the assault that was to come.
Reeve’s tough training paid off as he enjoyed a burst of energy and found a way through his opponent’s guard, landing several punches in quick succession.
Broadbent was on the ropes, Reeve had him rattled. And before the Northampton ace could do any more damage, the referee stepped in to stop the contest.
The relief from Reeve and his adoring faithful was there for all to see, with the fighter climbing the ropes and letting his emotions pour out.
He was soon to be presented with the belt and the man they call Thunder, who has won seven of his eight fights to date, is now starting to make a big bang in the world of British boxing.
Reeve’s victory completed a hat-trick of wins for Northampton fighters on the night as his sparring partner Ashley Lane and Jamie Spence also claimed victory in their bouts.
Lane was first up as he fought Harvey Helmsley (Bristol) at featherweight in a bout consisting of four three-minute rounds.
The 21-year-old home hitter looked in control from the start, letting his opponent get on the front foot before hitting him on the counter.
Lane had the edge in each round and deservedly recorded a 40-36 victory to kick-start the home success story.
And after Dan Blackwell had beaten Jamie Boness in the only bout not involving a Northampton boxer, Spence sealed victory against Matt Seawright (Tamworth) at light-middleweight.
He kept his powder dry in the first few rounds of the six-round scrap before launching an attack to clinch a 60-56 win.