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James Fryers feasts on Vasiliev at Europa dinner show

Super featherweight prospect James ‘The Future’ Fryers had his fill tonight on the ‘Champions at the Europa’ dinner show in Belfast.

The supremely talented youngster faced esteemed Bulgarian journeyman Yordan Vasiliev over six rounds. The 32 year old, who has a prestigious list of former opponents, including current WBO lightweight champ Terry Flanagan, provided a stiff learning fight for Fryers – who passed with flying colours, scoring a comprehensive six round points win.

Fighting an aggressive opponent, Fryers boxed clever in the opening stanza, using his size to his advantage and scoping his opponent out.

Fryers opened up more in the second round, scored big hurtful hooks and uppercuts through Vasiliev’s guard, although taking a pot-shot or two in return.

Fryers spent the third round attacking the body and this work paid off when he dropped his Bulgarian for with a right hook to the body in the final ten seconds.

Vasiliev would rise quickly and beat the count, however round four was more of the same, with Fryers landing plenty of heavy shots, and again having his man badly hurt in the closing seconds of the stanza.

Fryers was dominant again in the fifth, although the experience Bulgarian seemed to have somewhat weathered the storm.

The Belfast gym instructor was brought into the sixth round for the first time in his career, and while Vasiliev threw big shots in the final stanza, Fryers was too slick and too skilled and coasted to the win

The Immaculata man’s dominance was reflected in the referee’s scorecard which had him winning every round (60-53)

Fryers record now consists of a perfect ten wins (with three knockouts), and tonight’s victory will hopefully see him pushed further up the British rankings where he currently sits at number ten. The busy Vasiliev falls to 17(4)-41(15)-2.

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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