'Micky Boy' Roberts sparkles in Bellahouston; Ricky Burns shows class in exhibition

Michael Roberts produced a sparkling performance on the undercard of the Scottish featherweight title bout on Friday evening despite not knowing anything or indeed who he was boxing on his third outing as a professional. He and Rob Sharpe of Nottingham produced, what for me was the bout of the night.

Both these young professionals showed skill in both attack and defence, with Roberts having the better of the opening exchanges only for Sharpe to come back at him in the middle of the bout to show he wasn't there to make up the numbers. This was a quality bout from two novice pros who can go on to greater things on this showing.

The show opened with Caldercruix's David Brophy matched against perennial journeyman Matt Scriven of Nottingham. Scriven was in survival mode from the off, probably because he was working the corner of some of his fellow fighters from the midlands. Even if he wasn't for that reason, he most certainly was because of the stylish combinations being unloaded onto him by a sharp looking Brophy.

Brophy's body shots were wilting the Nottingham man visibly, although he did go on the offensive briefly in the third round only for Brophy to regain control toward the end of the round. Brophy showed an excellent repertoire of shots in this one sided affair, winning by 60-54 on Kenny Pringle's card.

Alex "Zander" White of Uddingston looked as though he'd have an early night as he sent Mark Bett of Wishaw in to a version of the Ministry of Silly Walks as early as 30 seconds after the opening bell. However a combination of his lack of experience and Mark Bett's determination did see the bout through to the final bell. It was an eye-catching contest with always the potential for an early finish especially as the Wishaw fighter had a colander-like defence it was so leaky. Bett looked pretty aggressive in the second and third rounds, but overall White had all the smart moves.

Jonathon Slowey of Glasgow had a 60-54 shut out over Mansfield-based Latvian Pavel Senkovs in a bout which probably had too much weight of expectation on the Glasgow boxer. The stylish southpaw has a heap of fans with him and has been trumpetted and rightly so, for his ability. I suspect that this contributed to what was a less than fluid performance from him. The Latvian was also prone to using his shaven head for less than cerebral reasons, nonetheless Slowey got the right decision in a bout I suspect he'll want to airbrush away.

What boxer makes his debut into professional boxing with a genuine world champion? For students of boxing trivia, the answer is Sean Watson of Fauldhouse. Tonight was supposed to be his debut into the paid ranks, but his opponent backed out, but enter all round good guy Ricky Burns, who at very short notice gave an exhibition with the new professional. Yes it was only an exhibition, but it was carried out with sting from both of them and indeed was more entertaining than some actual bouts I've watched over the years.

This is the mark of Ricky Burns, he needn't have bothered his backside with a title bout of his own to concern him in Liverpool in July, but he genuinely is the real deal in kindness!

Sean "Fatty Watty" Watson will certainly remember his first time in the professional ring. All in all this was an excellent show, absorbing throughout and well worth the three hour drive each way to witness.