Ryan Aston picks up the win on Sky Sports bill
Dudley's Ryan Aston is on course for a Midlands middleweight title rematch with a points win on the Sky Sports bill in Blackpool.
The 22 year-old was a 60-55 points winner over Gilson de Jesus in front of the cameras on Saturday night and a rematch with Curtis Valentine could be next.
Valentine shattered Aston's unbeaten record when they clashed for the belt last July - and promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to stage the rematch in the coming months.
Aston is now unbeaten in three fights - one technical draw - since that loss. He did pick up a cut in the opening round against DeJesus after a clash of heads.
But the wound between his eyes didn't trouble the former amateur star, who said: "I took my time, stuck to my boxing and worked everything behind the jab.
Aston was on the front foot in the opening two rounds, then had a big third round.
He stiffened de Jesus' legs with a southpaw left, then smacked out his gum shield with a three-punch combination.
De Jesus was more negative in the fourth and fifth, then went on the attack at the bell to start the last round.
He landed enough punches to bloody Aston's nose and that brought a terrific response from the Black Country fighter.
Aston put his punches together to drive de Jesus onto the back foot and he stayed in charge until the final bell.
By Matt Bozeat
