Explosive first-round win for unbeaten boxer Massey

Jack Massey (left) on his way to an explosive first-round victory over Russ Henshaw at the Devonshire Dome.

Cruiserweight Massey stopped Russ Henshaw in an explosive first-round victory at Buxton’s Devonshire Dome on Saturday night.

And now the ambitious 23-year-old is eyeing a crack at English and British belts, maybe even before 2017 is out.

“We’ll see how the ball rolls, but these are exciting times,” said Massey. “This fight was for a British Challenge Belt, which is a good title to have. It put me further up the rankings and took me in the right direction.

“Now I have secured a place on one of promoter Frank Warren’s bills at Bolton in May, which will be showcased on BoxNation and BT Sport. I am not sure who I will be fighting yet, but it will be a step-up in quality, which is just what I need.

“I’m looking at going for an English title and then a British title, either by the end of this year or next year.

Massey, who turned pro after he was crowned ABA cruiserweight champion in 2013, was expecting a tough fight against Henshaw.

“I had seen some of his fights on YouTube and he has some good wins on his record,” he said. “But I caught him in the first round with a right hand and I saw his legs buckle.

“He backed on to the ropes, so I hit him with three clean shots to the head. I could see his eyes had gone, and the referee had to step in.

“This is the way fights go sometimes. When you see the opportunity, you have to go for it.”

Massey’s victory fully justified the hard work he put in preparing for the fight. He was in a training camp for more than ten weeks, working on a specific game-plan for the big night.

He was also full of praise for his fans who, as usual, turned out in their numbers to cheer him on at the Dome.

“The support was amazing,” said Massey. “I know it was a first-round stoppage, but nobody complained.

“Everyone enjoyed the night and it was great to see them having a good time.”

Next stop Bolton for the Massey Mob!