Morecambe boxer Nelson 'The Sexy One' Birchall wins first pro titles in style

Undefeated Morecambe boxer Nelson Birchall stopped Ryan Griffiths to become the new English and Commonwealth silver featherweight champion.

Birchall finished his opponent in the ninth round to win his first professional championships at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on Saturday.

'The Sexy One', boxing on the undercard of Moses Itauma's win over Jermaine Franklin at heavyweight, moves his perfect professional record to 11 wins out of 11, with eight of his victories inside the distance.

The 21-year-old boxed patiently early on behind his southpaw jab against the best opponent he's faced to date, gradually increasing the pressure to land hooks and body shots, but also taking a few punches in return as the rounds went on.

Griffiths appeared to grow in confidence and was forcing Nelson back in the fifth, but Burchill regained control in the sixth as his opponent backed to the ropes after taking a big left hand.

Nelson landed his straight left with more regularity in the seventh, clubbing a fading Griffiths with rapid combinations, but the Dudley man stayed in it.

The absorbing give-and-take battle continued in the eighth, with the fighters exchanging body blows, but the better shots were coming from the Morecambe man.

Birchall then finished matters in style in the next round, as referee Howard Foster stepped in as his brave opponent took punishment from a flurry of punches on the ropes.

Griffiths' record falls to eight wins, two defeats and three draws.

Birchall, who is in the stable of legendary fight promoter Frank Warren, celebrated with his brothers Leighton and William, who are also undefeated professional boxers.

"I feel good, better now I've got these two belts with me, now I'm a professional champion," said Nelson, speaking to Boxing Now after the fight.

"I believe I showed bits of everything in there. I stood in the pocket, showed I can work on the inside, I had rounds where I boxed him, rounds where I just used my jab, stood off and made him look a bit silly, and I had rounds where I made it entertaining when I probably shouldn't have done.

"But I'm a fighter and it's the entertainment business."

Nelson said he is now "knocking on the door" for a shot at the British and Commonwealth Titles