By Diarmuid Sherry

Belfast welterweight Matthew ‘Speedy’ Wilton warmed up nicely for his outing at Waterfront Hall in two weeks, with a stern 4 round workout against the lanky Bulgarian, Aleksandar Chukaleiski, who most definitely came to win. Mickey Vann refereed, and judged the fight in Wilton’s favour, by 40-37.

Wilton initially struggled to deal with the Chukaleiski’s height, and found himself getting caught with left jabs
and hooks when throwing punches. However Wilton threw hurtful punches, including a straight right and then a left hook which made the import nod in appreciation

The better technique and skill of Wilton was very much evidenced in the second round. Although ‘Speedy’ had to shake off a flush right hand. Wilton hurt Chukaleiski with straight right, whilst blocking his opponents barbs with relative ease.

Chukaleiski attempted to up the pace in the third, despite his noticeably deteriorating condition, but Wilton dealt with it well, hurting the Bulgarian with a series of flush uppercuts with both hands. At one point, Chukaleiski was so tired, he almost ran out of the ring himself.

In the final round, Chukaleiski tried to coax and fool Wilton into making a mistake, and although he had some minimal success, Wilton generally showed good concentration. A left hook straight right combo forcing Chukaleiski back to the ropes was Wilton’s highlight in the round.

A tough workout for Wilton, it remains to be seen if a bout with Paddy Gallagher can be made in 2016, as hoped by Blaine McGuigan and Cyclone Promotions