Alfredo Meli passed the toughest test of his career to claim the Celtic Nations middleweight title on the Feile Fight Night Card.

The Belfast southpaw won a high paced, high octane fight that was also high in entertainment by an 80-73 scorecard that didn’t do opponent Rhys Pagan credit to grab some deserved middleweight spot light.

Scot, Pagan had ‘Jesus Saves’ on the back of his shorts but was not to christian or charitable in his approach. He certainly came to fight and had a go from the off.

Meli answered the call the battle on occasion, but took more rounds using his skills from range to ensure the win.

There were more punches thrown in the first round than all the undercard fights combined. Pagan tried to assert dominance, but Meli responded in kind and an all action three minutes ensued.

The second followed a similar pattern, but Meli was able to land down the middle as the Scot winged in wide body shots.

The toe to toe exchanges lessened over the middle rounds and Meli took a step off and had some success from range, picking clever shots. Although to his credit Pagan did his part and went for it in every round.

The away fighter had a real go in the seventh and came out guns blazing and when he was docked a point in the eight he knew he needed a knock out to win. The point deduction made little difference in the end as Meli claimed a 80-73 points win.