Mathew Fitzsimons kickstarts career with comeback win

Mathew ‘The Freak’ Fitzsimons finally got his career going again tonight at The Devenish Complex.

Following some promotional issues, Fitzsimons fought for the first time since September 2015 with a four rounder on the inaugural Kieran Farrell Promotions Belfast bill

Still only 20, but out of the ring for over a year and a half, the youngster was given a tough assignment against awkward Ghanaian Michael Barnor.

Barnor had managed, by the skin of his teeth, to go the full four with Tyrone McCullagh at the same venue last month, and again saw the final bell here.

It was a cagey opener on the Finaghy Road as Fitzsimons looked to find his range after so long out.

Fitzsimons was able to sneak in some long bodyshots in the second which drew grimaces from Barnor.

This success to the body for Fitzsimons continued into the third round as the African’s output dropped.

Fitzsimons opened up in the final round, perhaps looking for the stoppage, but the wily Barnor was able to avoid the Belfast youngster much-talked about big right hand.

Going to the cards, Fitzsimons was unsurprisingly given the nod on scoring referee John Lowey’s card.

The points victory allows Fitzsimons to finally improve his record to 3(2)-0, while Barnor drops again to 14(10)-10(6)-2.

The comeback win in the bag, the young Belfast puncher will be looking to get back out as soon as possible.