Paul Upton won the Irish super-welterweight title in Northampton on Saturday night.
The Ricky Hatton-trained 27-year-old halted the experienced Terry Maughan in the sixth round to become the Emerald Isle’s champion and he still hasn’t come down from cloud nine.
Upton, the oldest of three fighting brothers, was the aggressor from the start and rocked Maughan in the second round before turning up the pressure four rounds later.
A right hand to the body forced Maughan to wince and drop his hands. Seizing his moment, Upton followed up with a barrage of punches upstairs that had Maughan flailing against the ropes before referee David John Irving stopped the contest.
Upton said:
“I’m absolutely buzzing. I was an Irish champion as an amateur and I can’t put into words what it means to me to win this title as a pro. I said before the fight I wanted to win the belt for my grandad and I can’t wait to show him it.”
He concluded:
“That said, I want to dedicate this win to everyone who supported me, including Ricky and the team, my dad, my brothers and all of the Upton Clan. What’s next? I don’t know because winning this hasn’t really sunken in yet, but I hope one day I can go back to Ireland and defend the belt. That would be like a dream come true.”
(Image credit: Mark J Jones/Hatton Promotions)
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