Dominant Tobias Webb has sights set on title bid

TOBIAS Webb is looking for an opponent to contest the vacant Welsh super-middleweight title after disposing of Jody Meikle at the Oceana club in Swansea.

He had been hoping to take on Nathan King, but the Mountain Ash man is pursuing his goals at a higher weight. It leaves Webb searching for someone to scrap with if he wants to secure his first title as a professional.

He extended his winning streak to five by seeing off Meikle, referee Clarke Joslyn awarding the Welshman every round in a bout enlivened by the visitor's clowning.

"He was like a pantomime villain in there, pretending he was hurt and trying to wind Tobias up," said promoter Paul Boyce.

"In the end the referee tired of him and docked him a point for all the clowning.

"Tobias dominated and showed a big improvement from his previous fight. He was in control throughout with his boxing ability, but there is still more to come. He is in the top ten in Britain and he needs to start making waves up there now, really letting people know he is about."

Boyce hopes Webb will fight for the Welsh title in November, as long as a suitable match-up can be arranged. "It shouldn't be a problem," he said.

"I have one or two boys in mind. It's a case of having a chat with their trainers and then deciding who should go forward."

Display of the night came from Chris Jenkins as he made short work of Arturas Zbarauskas, who lasted only 30 seconds against Jenkins's vicious body shots.

Zbarauskas had come all the way from Lithuania. A long way to travel to have the breath knocked out of you so quickly.

The latest exercise in decisive ring work confirmed former Commonwealth Games fighter Jenkins's status as a rising star.

"He is going places," said Boyce.

"It is no exaggeration to say he has more talent than Ricky Hatton had at a comparable age.

"He is the most exciting fighter to come out of this area since Enzo Maccarinelli, or even going back further to Colin Jones. I rate him that highly — he has huge potential."

Zbarauskas wouldn't argue after suffering his first stoppage in the paid ranks.

"Chris had been a bit nervous about facing him because he didn't know what he would bring," said Boyce.

"But he just went out and imposed himself, dishing out some of the hardest body shots I have seen for a while.

"We won't rush Chris, but a British title could be on the agenda down the line. He is a boy with a future."

Greg Pickin, the pugilist who spends his days in a bank, kept his boxing career in profit with his second win in a row, seeing off Reading's Ibrar Riyaz on points.

The HSBC manager in Llansamlet demonstrated an impressive neatness in his work, outboxing Riyaz with crisp punches and showing an appetite for battle the Englishman couldn't handle.

"Greg was fantastic," said Boyce.

"He just kept throwing punches, and they were good shots.

''When you do that you don't allow your opponent any respite.

"Where does he go from here at the age of 30? I would like to see him challenge for a Celtic title at some point, maybe have a go at lifting the Welsh crown.

"He has returned to the sport late in life and is showing tremendous dedication.

''It's a pleasure to work with him."

Darren Bushbye claimed a solid 40-36 verdict over Midlander Dee Mitchell, while Leon Findlay conceded the spoils to Sam Eggiton.

Around 600 people turned up at the Oceana. "It was a great evening," said Boyce.