JORDAN Flynn is looking to bring more professional boxing to Oxford after an historic win at the Kassam Stadium.
Professional boxing hadn’t taken place in Oxford for 60 years, until Saturday when a host of local fighters featured at the Grenoble Road venue.
Unbeaten lightweight Flynn topped the card and took his record to 7-0 since turning professional, by beating Rustem Fatkhullin on points.
Flynn said: “I knew how tough it would be, and that he wouldn’t just fall over and that he’d last the duration of the fight.
“He felt the power at the beginning, and he went into survival mode.
“When he’s trying to survive, it makes it harder because he’s not as open.
“He was a good fighter, he had good footwork, and I knew he’d be skilful.
“He was a good opponent to put on my record.”
READ AGAIN: Jordan Flynn reiterates world champion aim ahead of Kassam fight
Flynn revealed what in particular he learnt from his latest bout, while acknowledging a home crowd brought added pressure to the fight.
“You’ve just got to get in there and get the job done,” he said.
“There’s pressure and everyone’s watching you, but we keep pushing forward.
“It was a good fight, every single fight is about learning new things, and it’s given me good practice for the future.
“I learnt to take my time, as with these types of guy, you can’t hurt them with one shot.
“It was my sixth six-rounder and it’s about getting that up to eight rounds now.”
HOMECOMING ✅
— Jordan Flynn Dhanjal ☬ (@jordz_flynn) October 16, 2022
Last night was a movie, big up every single person that came to support we sold out the whole venue sounded like 100,000 of you in there. We’re definitely putting Oxford on the map❤️
See you all at the next one!! #7-0 #teamflynn #Boxing pic.twitter.com/rkO8XjGN6I
Winning on home soil was particularly special for Flynn, who grew up in Cowley and now lives in Greater Leys.
“It was crazy in there, it felt like 100,000 people and that everyone was on top of each other,” he said.
“Everyone had a good time and I’ve had loads of messages from people to say how much they enjoyed it.
“It was the first show in Oxford for 60 years, and it showed that we can do this, so why can’t we keep doing this kind of stuff?
“It’s motivating the youngsters, I remember when I was boxing as an amateur and I didn’t have that big brother figure.
“That’s why I had to leave Oxford to train three times a week in London.”
Banbury United have apologised following racism allegations during their FA Cup loss at Bracknell Townhttps://t.co/3ThbQFatCV
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) October 17, 2022
Flynn is now set for a final fight of the calendar year, before targeting a title in 2023.
He said: “I hope to be fighting again by the end of November, I hope there’ll be an announcement soon.
“Next year, I 100 per cent want to be going for a title, and that will definitely put Oxford on the map.”
Elsewhere on the card, Witney’s Bradley Townsend moved to an 11-0 record with a points win over Paul Scaife.
Oxford’s Ciaran Flanagan claimed his first win as a professional, beating Nabil Ahmed.
Tom Brennan, of Carterton, couldn’t be separated on points against Martin Shaw.
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