Last night at the characterful York Hall, Bethnal Green in London, England, Esham Pickering and Matthew Marsh slugged it out for the British Super Bantamweight title on a Hennessy Sports promoted fight night.

The champion Pickering was looking to win the Lonsdale Belt outright as he defended it a second time - this time to younger, less experienced opponent in the 25 year old Marsh.

On home-ground, Marsh, from West Ham, was wearing his usual claret and blue trunks. ‘Brown Sugar’ Pickering was sporting a skin-head haircut bearing a bleached blonde raised logo of "Jordan".

The contest gets off to a fast start and Marsh is keen to impress - getting straight to work on Pickering and looks to have taken the first round.

Pickering is under pressure in the opening minute of round two as Marsh unloads a number of shots backing, the champion onto the ropes. Using combinations and body-punches, Marsh looks to over-power Pickering, who sees out the end of the tough round.

Pickering leaves himself wide-open in round three, getting caught with more shots from his younger opponent. Marsh keeps focussed while adopting a ‘tight’ defence. There’s a ‘nick’ under the left eye of Pickering. More...

John O’Donnell continues on the comeback trail as part of a talented and exciting bill at the York Hall in Bethnal Green this Friday, June 27, 2008.

Top of the Hennessy Sports in association with Golden Palace bill is the British Super Bantamweight title fight between Esham Pickering of Newark and Matthew Marsh of Welling and there is plenty of quality on display before the main event featuring London boxers. More...