Ross Minter got his year off to a fine start with a six-round points win over dogged Karl Taylor at Wembley Conference Centre on Saturday.
The highly-rated Crawley welterweight eased to victory over the Birmingham man for a second time despite the notorious unsettling tactics used by the experienced Taylor.
Minter, 24, said: "Karl boxed more than I thought he would and his camp really fancied it. I felt so fit and well though, and so fresh in every round.
"He is cagey and occasionally I got caught up in a bit of a row with him but my fans brought me on a little when I needed it."
Minter probed away constructively from the first bell but tenacious Taylor never offered him any room to be boxed.
Taylor began to tangle repeatedly in the second, preventing Minter from gaining any momentum, but the Crawley man began to find his jab.
The Birmingham boxer cut above the nose in the third and Minter eased home from there, winning 60-55 on points.
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