Walsh retains British title and sets up Tennyson showdown

Norfolk’s Ryan Walsh survived a second round scare against Darren Traynor last night to emphatically retain his British featherweight title live on Boxnation TV.

Walsh [now 20(9)-1(0)-1] was momentarily stunned against his Scottish opponent, but recovered well and put the Aberdeen boxer down and out in the fifth with a vicious combination.

The fight last night at the York Hall was of particular interest to Irish viewers as Walsh now has to face BBBoC Celtic champ James Tennyson [15(12)-1(1)] for the belt within the next 90 days.

The 22 year old Belfast man was originally due to face Traynor in a defense of the Celtic belt at the Europa Hotel on February 6th, but instead promoter Mark Dunlop released the Scot from his contract and allowed him to face Walsh in return for guaranteed Mandatory Challenger status.

Walsh, who has strong Irish roots and a passionate fanbase, must now face Tennyson or he will be stripped of the belt leaving the Kronk boxer to fight for the vacant title against the next available challenger.

Tennyson will now face Croatia’s Antonio Horvatic [9(5)-23(4)] in a keep-busy bout at the Europa ahead of the showdown with Walsh. Promoter Mark Dunlop has stated his intention to win the purse bids and bring the Frank Warren fighter over to Belfast for an April title clash for Lonsdale belt.

After the bout last night, Dunlop noted that “those in the know always knew what the outcome of that fight was going to be.”

“Ryan Walsh will face a different animal all together in the next 90 days.”

“James Tennyson is a beast, a monster, and had knocked more people out than Darren Traynor had fights.”

“I believe Tennyson will grow into Belfast’s own Ricky Hatton.”

Watch Ryan Walsh v Darren Traynor in full below to see what Tennyson will be up against: