Jay Byrne grabs win number two in Belfast

Jay Byrne claimed his second professional win this evening in Belfast, but was forced to feed on scraps on the ‘Another Level’ dinner show.

The Dubliner took on Bognor Regis journeyman Liam Griffiths on the MHD Promotions card at the Europa Hotel and scored a comfortable win.

Griffiths is a notorious figure due to his awkward, negative, style and is seen as the perfect opponent for prospects rising through the ranks due to his ability to frustrate. The Englishman is a guaranteed tough workout and near-impossible to look good against – although Byrne did show some good flashes during the four round bout

The Loughlinstown fighter began as the aggressor, but the experienced Griffiths, boxing out of the southpaw stance, managed to negate much of Byrne’s pressure, a few stinging bodyshots aside.

Byrne started to find some success in the second, drawing Griffiths into a fight and landing a few big shots, one right hook in particular which elicited a sly smile from the Englishman.

Griffiths began to hold more in the penultimate round. Byrne continued to throw with abandon and did land with one lovely long left hook that forced the journeyman to the ropes.

By the final round Griffiths had gone into full-on survival mode and Byrne began to pour forward, but the Bofnor Regis brawler managed to hang on, literally, and see out the round.

While it was at times scrappy, there was little doubt who the victor was at the final bell, with Byrne taking a 40:36 win on the referee’s scorecard.

Newcomer Byrne improves his record to 2(1)-0, and will be hoping to get out at least once more before the end of the year. Griffiths drops to 4(0)-67(3)-1 following the loss.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)