Ellie Hellewell: Jason Cunningham’s protégé continues winning streak on professional debut

Ellie Hellewell from Conisbrough overcame the challenge of Beccy Ferguson at the Magna Centre in Rotherham on Sunday, with the referee scoring the bout 58-56 in the debutant’s favour.

Hellewell remains undefeated in both the amateur and paid ranks, but despite the win her team admitted it wasn’t her best performance.

“She did well, said Hellewell’s manager Jason Cunningham, who is set to return to the ring himself in February in what is expected to be a title fight.

"There’s always things to improve on but we are happy with it.”

Owing to the relative scarcity of female boxers, 22-year-old Hellewell had to sacrifice fighting at her preferred weight in order to find an opponent for her debut.

Her trainer, Paul Durose, said: “Sunday was one year to the day she won a national title in her last fight.

"She had to knock off 12 months of rust against a girl who’s been really active.”

Cunningham added: "We are happy enough, so we move on from there.”

Hellewell trains at the Stefy Bull Gym in Connisborough along with two-time, two-weight world champion Terri Harper.

Several of her other stablemates were in action on Sunday, including Conner Kelsall, who was crowned English flyweight champion, Jimmy Joe Flint and Connan Murray.

Flint did just enough to edge out spirited journeyman Lee Connelly on his ninety-ninth and final fight, while Murray made it three wins from three as a professional with a one-sided points victory over Lewis van Poetsch.

Sheffield-trained Hughie Wilson from Doncaster also beat Naeem Ali on points.