Droylsden’s undefeated prospect, Craig Bunn, 29-years-old, took home the vacant British Challenge super-middleweight belt by forcing the stoppage in the fifth round of the scheduled eight-round contest over 33-year-old travelling opponent, Gillen.
The 6ft 1” Notts fighter commented on his second defeat in his nine-month long pro career, “Was doing ok, losing the early rounds but not getting hurt.
“I wanted to get to the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds to take it to him as he was fading. I took a flurry in the fifth round and the ref stepped in. I was wobbled but should have took a knee and I would have been ok.”
The Lancashire boxer dropped down to 168lbs from light-heavyweight to challenge for the belt, a move that paid off for him, recording his first stoppage win in a pro career that dates back to 2005. The former convict had a five-year sabbatical from the squared ring between 2007 to 2012 due to a prison sentence.
Gillen praised his conqueror by saying, “It was a decent scrap but I lost to the better boxer so can’t complain. I’m gutted but great experience; I’m getting better with every fight, it’s a good learning curve.”
Trained by Andrew Lowe, Deano turned pro with Carl Greaves after winning gold in the World Police and Fire Games 2013, which is a biennial athletic event attracting 10,000 applicants from the world’s police and fire services, only slightly fewer than the Olympic Games.
The firefighter knocked out all of his opponents – Canadian, Dutch and Spanish – to win the gold medal in Belfast. Whereas the games provided Deano with his entire amateur background, victor Bunn boasts a much greater pedigree as a former Junior ABA and Four Nations champion.
Bunn looks like he could finally be set for a promising career following a troubled and stuttering start. The latest win could provide a stepping stone to the next level in his protracted career.
Gillen looks set to continue his life on the road, offered to fight next in London in March, he said, “Unfortunately, I’ve lost my last two fights but they have been against top prospects. I always said I would never turn down a fight or opportunity and I’m not about to change that. I will improve with each fight.”
Follow Dean Gillen on Twitter @TeamDeanoPro
