DENNIS Hobson Promotions had his big BoxNation show on in the Steel City of Sheffield this past Saturday evening, it contained three fighters from our beloved north-east.

Two of the three came away with victories with Sunderland’s Jonson McClumpha the unfortunate one as he was forced to be withdrawn from the bout in the fifth round in his English title eliminator courtesy of an opening cut eye he received in the first.

Of the other two fighters on show Sunderland’s Isaac Macleod made his professional debut amid a cacophony of chants for the youngster, supporters chanting “there’s only one little Isaac’ as often and as loud as possible in the Hillsborough Leisure Centre.

The opponent for the big hitting debutant, Hungarian Gyorgy Varga, who ultimately would have no answer for the onslaught Macleod would unleash once he was in his rhythm. It was so much so that, come the latter stages of the third, the Sunderland fighter had claimed a third round stoppage victory.

Speaking after his success Macleod said: “It was just a nice and relaxed debut for me and I was just happy to be able to get some rounds under my belt early on which are always good.

“It was a risky outing anyway with him being a light middleweight but I went in there and did my job, wore him down and worked on it well before finally catching him with a sweet left.

“I never want to rush anything when I’m in there but when I caught him with a right shortly before, and he had to grasp the rope to keep upright, I just knew he was gone.”

Macleod, when signing professionally, decided to go with the Warren’s and Queensberry Promotions, not only that but the former Sunderland ABC amateur has shifted to Arnie’s Gym in Manchester under the watchful eye of Anthony Farnell. It is a move that is already paying off for the youngster.

He added: “My coach and I are definitely looking for me to keep busy when we move into 2015.

“I’ve been lucky that Arnie and I have got on from day one, he’s proven as a coach and I will be looking to becoming a world champion one day, every fighter dreams of that moment. For now though it’s on to the next one which I’m hoping will be in either February or March.”

And that ever-endearing support of Macleod’s of which some 200+ embarked on the trip to Sheffield to make some noise, the Sunderland welterweight is hoping will be out in force on his home debut next year.

“I appreciate and thank them for all that support they have given me, whether they made the trip to Sheffield or watched it back home,” he continued.

“Now lets hope we can have the same kind of support of not more when I’m out in Sunderland because I know I’ve got a big following here.”

As for the other fighter from the region victorious in Sheffield, West Rainton’s unbeaten Tommy Ward took that plaudit as he won his fifth of the year, and eleventh in total since debuting in late 2012. Looking to continue his step-up he was awarded a bout with the unknown Plymouth fighter, Chris Adaway.

Ward though is on an ever-increasing curve to greatness and victory was achieved after six gruelling rounds with the County Durham lad edging a 58-57 result. Ward though, ever the quiet and reassuring gentleman said of his success: “He was better than I expected and I really feel as though he will win more than he will lose.

“It was definitely a bit rough for me and I got involved in it more than I should have done, it was definitely one of the hardest fights that I’ve had that’s for sure. I’m just happy that I can get more rounds under my belt as it’s been a strange year and didn’t know how it was going to finish.

“For me, now, it will be a few days off then some light training as I build up towards next year and an outing on the March 8 show at Rainton Meadows. I just need to listen to what Neil (Fannon) says and we’ll take the right steps at the right time.”