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...

© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

This Friday night at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, England, Esham Pickering puts his British Super Bantamweight title at risk against Matthew Marsh.

In a Hennessy Sports promoted fight night, thirty one year old ʽBrown Sugarʼ Pickering of Newark, Nottinghamshire, makes his second defence of the title against the lesser-experienced, younger, Marsh of Sidcup. More...

Esham Pickering is warning challenger Matthew Marsh not to underestimate him ahead of their British Super Bantamweight title fight at the York Hall in Bethnal Green in London on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Former European and Commonwealth Champion Pickering, of Newark, defends his British title against Marsh, of Welling, on what promises to be a thrilling Hennessy Sports show in association with GoldenPalace.net at the home of British boxing with Sky Sports televising the action live. 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...

As their British Super Bantamweight title fight looms, reigning champion Esham Pickering and challenger Matthew Marsh will come together for the final time before hostilities commence when the rivals have their weigh-in on Thursday in London's East End.

Two-time British Champion Pickering, 33-6 (13), has also held the European and Commonwealth titles at super bantam but the 31 year old "Brown Sugar" from Newark is looking to solidify his domestic standing before trying to reacquire his former honours. More...

Esham Pickering feels he has a point to prove when he defends his British Super-Bantamweight Title against Matthew Marsh at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday 27th June 2008.

Pickering (Newark) will make his second defence of the British crown on a Hennessy Sports in association with GoldenPalace.net after stopping Sean Hughes in the ninth round in January. More...