Jason Ball stopped Tim Newman in a main event that lived up to the hype.

Newman surprised the home fighter by opting to stand up with him. Ball set about his job, taking centre ring and trying to get his jab going. Tim put in the more eye catching work, throwing solid kicks and a spinning back elbow.

At the start of the second, Jason stepped it up, successfully using the jab to set up meaty uppercuts. Newman shot for a takedown. When he failed, the writing was on the wall. The Metrodome crowd chanted the name of their hero and he pushed forward looking for the inevitable finish. Tim connected with stiff left hand. Jason was stopped in his tracks. His bloodied face had a blank look for a couple of seconds. This was far from over.

Round three. Ball is back. The uppercuts were finding their target again. Then: left, right- Newman folds to the floor. He struggles to his feet against the cage. More punches, then a huge knee to the head. Newman wobbles then falls. A few seconds of ground and pound and it’s all over.

The Welshman came into Daddy Cool’s backyard to prove a point. With a perfect record of (mainly sub) wins under his belt, Newman felt ready to hang with the top guys in the UK’s most heavily stacked division. He stood up with one of the best boxers in the domestic game and held his own. Jason deserved the win, but Newman proved he is for real.

In the co-headliner, Wayne Murrie took on Sami Berik. As a wise man said before the bout- you never know what to expect when Sami fights. Too true. Unfortunately, this time it was not the Turk’s offbeat kung fu stylings that made an impression. In the first minute, Murrie took him down. Sami tapped. He had popped a rib and was unable to continue.

James Bateman defeated Auris Karpa. The pair clinched up and Bateman tripped his opponent. He soon moved from side control to mount. After he’d eaten some elbows and punches, Karpa gave his back. Despite not getting his hooks in, Bateman applied a decisive choke.

Niko Gjoka celebrated his win over Mark Platts with a gymnastics display. The fight ended with an armbar. Platts was adamant he did not tap and his cornerman furiously argued the point. The dispute gave Niko a prolonged opportunity to execute a series of spinning back flips.

Semi Pro

Scott Askham won a hugely entertaining fight against Avi Jack to retain his semi pro title. Southpaw Askham has dynamite in his left hand and is not shy about using it. He passes on the jab starter, preferring to feed his foes the heavy stuff. Avi had left hand for breakfast, dinner and tea but kept coming back for seconds. Jack hung in there and scored with some right hands.

The last time the two met, Avi caught Scott in a picture perfect armbar. Fearing a repeat, the Yorkshireman’s corner desperately urged him to ‘stand up’ whenever the fight hit the deck. There was never a dull moment as both dug deep in search of the victory. In the end, it was probably the potency of Askham’s strikes that earned him the split decision.

Rafael Wojciechowicz (known as just Rafael for obvious reasons) and Luke Copcott stepped up with less than a day’s notice to fill a gap on the card. They went toe to toe at the start of the second, Rafael sustained eye damage and the fight was waved off.

Tom Whitaker ended his ground war with Wayne Thompson by way of rear naked choke. Mick Pearman delivered a double hammerfist to the grounded Oscar Hazaar- leading to a stoppage due to rib damage.

Down at the lower end of a card, you’re always hoping to spot a star of the future. Grimsby Fight Ministry’s Jack Grant display against Aaron Hogan means he is definitely one for the notebook. Hard punches followed by monster slam, finished with a tight triangle. What more can you ask for on a debut?

In the sole amateur bout- Ryan Bevan defeated Darren Haslam with a second round guillotine.

Cage kickboxing: Craig Shipley and Dave Childs clocked up wins against Reece Iverson and Pascal Legend.

Fight of the Night

Jason Ball v Tim Newman

Honourable Mention

Scott Askham v Avi Jack

Ring Walk Tune of the Night

Competition suspended as someone used

Sandstorm by Darude. That’s cheating.

Man of the Night

Tim Newman