TRAINER Paddy Fitzpatrick hailed the return of professional boxing to Swindon on Saturday night as a big success after three of his fighters claimed victory at the ‘Kings of the Ring’ show at the MECA.

The Neilson Boxing-promoted event at the MECA marked the first pro boxing show in the town for more than a year, with headliner Ryan Martin delivering victory in front of a home crowd.

Welterweight Martin overcame the threat of Lithuanian Edvinas Puplauskas, while fellow Fitzpatrick-trained fighter Sam Smith defeated Raimonds Sniedze on his first bout since dropping down to super-middleweight.

Fellow welterweight Bradley Townsend made it another victory for the Ferndale Road stable by beating Paul Ducie, while a win for Harlem Eubank – nephew of Chris Eubank – was amongst the other highlights.

Fitzpatrick said: “Overall it was an excellent night.

“It was a sold-out crowd, there were 13 fights with lots of entertainment. The fans loved it and we have had nothing but positive feedback. Boxing fans in Swindon got what they paid for.

“Ryan, Sniper (Smith) and Bradley all got wins, so we’re pleased with that.

“With Ryan, his mental improvement is what is standing out mostly for me. He was very in-tune in the corner and was very focussed and he enjoyed it.

“I spoke to him on Sunday and he could remember all the aspects of it, whereas in some of his fights previously, he has been so caught up in it that he can’t remember what’s happened.

“Bradley’s performance was measured and excellent. It was his first fight over six rounds and Bradley managed to contain his opponent and go through the gears like I wanted him to, so I was very pleased with that.”

Although a couple of Fitzpatrick’s other charges suffered defeat on the night, the Irish trainer still took plenty of positives from the contests.

Super-featherweight Bec Connolly succumbed to Elaine Greenan, while welterweight Harry Webb was beaten by Lee Gunter.

“I was extremely pleased with Bec’s performance,” added Fitzpatrick.

“We didn’t get the win, but that girl is growing as a fighter. She only had three amateur bouts and the rest of her experience is in white collar boxing and you can only be as good as the people you’re sharpening yourself against.

“Now she has turned pro, she has fought some really good girls. She is mixing in good company and if you look at the record, you only see the results of the fights, but she is improving.

“I thought she put on an excellent display and have no problems with the result – it was a close fight and that’s the way it goes.

“Harry had a hard night at the office. He started a bit too quick and triggered his opponent into a fast start as a result.

“I thought his jabs and his long-game were superb, but from the end of the fourth round, the opponent was starting to determine when the exchanges were happening as opposed to Harry setting up when the exchanges would happen.

“But it is a learning experience. He didn’t turn pro to retire after five fights so it’s not as if everything in his career was hanging on that.

“Losses provide the lessons you need to make adjustments to go on and improve.”