Connor Coyle claims first career title with Florida knockout win
Connor Coyle claimed the first title of his career last night in Florida.
Making the step up to event headliner, the Derry middleweight defeated Danny Pastrana at the Coliseum in St Petersburg to win the minor NBA Inter-Continental belt.
A dominant performance, Coyle stopped his Orlando opponent in the fifth of eight scheduled rounds.
The Foylesider had been in training for the FireFist Promotions headline fight since February, his longest camp yet, and was far too good for his opponent.
A succession of right hands sent Pastrana down in the fifth and, while the fighter rose unsteadily, the bout was waved off, securing a TKO win for the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.
It’s another solid win for ‘The Kid’ who is building some good momentum in Florida under top trainer Jim McLoughlin. While this was his first bout of 2018, he fought seven times last year including three wins over undefeated fighters.
Last night’s win sees Coyle’s record improve to 8(3)-0, while Pastrana drops to 6(1)-5(3).
