The top spot in the British lightweight rankings was up for grabs at the Leisure Centre in Newport, Wales last night and it was Gary Buckland who emerged the victor.
The Cardiff based “Dynamo” squared off with surging Salisbury hard man Henry Castle, who rode a six bout winning streak in the contest, and a thrilling ten rounds soon followed.
When the dust had settled, 23 year old Buckland pulled off a one point victory, 96-95, to add to his Celtic title winning effort in February against Scotland’s Craig Docherty.
Buckland improves to 16-1 (5) and is now the official challenger for the British lightweight title while Castle’s record now stands at 20-5 (11).
Also on the bill, 36 year old former British light middle title challenger Paul Samuels, 19-7-2 (11), came up short against 21 year old prospect Danny Butler, 18-1 (3), by a score of 98-94 for the vacant British Masters middleweight crown.
Butler will now face Darren McDermott for the English belt in September.