A 60-strong crowd of Salfordians chanted Marc Leach’s name as he powered his way to his sixth pro boxing victory at the Evoque Nightclub in Preston.
His opponent was the veteran 41-year-old Hungarian Mihaly Telekfi, Leach’s strongest opponent yet – on paper at least.
With 8 wins and two knockouts in a 17-year career, Telekfi had experience on his side.
But in the ring, 21-year-old ‘Livewire’ used the speed and movement learned under coach Oliver Harrison at Oliver’s Gym in Salford to win all four rounds comfortably for a 40-36 victory.
Slamming a series of combination shots, uppercuts and jabs into his opponent, Marc was on fire.
Leading him on, then running counter-attacks, the confident Leach even whipped out an Ali shuffle at one point, much to the delight of his travelling fans.
After a controversial debut loss to Bobby Jenkinson in September last year, Marc has now scored five wins on the bounce.
Read: Marc ‘Livewire’ Leach strikes again to win third pro fight
Speaking after the fight, Marc told Salfordonline.com: “I felt really sharp and I was confident that I could beat him.
“I dominated all four rounds and his reputation didn’t put me off. When I get in the ring they are all the same to me.
“It was good to see my training had paid off, I caught him with some good shots and combinations and I was pleased with my work rate and performance.
“It was good to see the Salford lads in the crowd getting behind me, it really helps.”
It’s been a remarkable rise for the former schoolboy champion, who has exceeded even his father’s high expectations.
Mark Leach Snr told Salfordonline.com: “This is the best that I have seen Marc perform in his boxing career, he has worked hard and hasn’t had it the easy way.”
The win moves him even further up the rankings to put him at 10th best bantamweight in the country.
Now all eyes are on Marc’s next fight – another step up in class and prestige – at the Liverpol Echo Arena on November 7.
He’ll fight on the undercard of Oliver’s Gym stablemate Rocky Fielding’s clash with Callum Smith.
Marc added: “Oliver is keeping me on target and I aim to go all the way.”
