Mark Jeffers beats Kieron Conway in 168 crossroads battle

MANCHESTER, England – Mark Jeffers defeated Keiron Conway over 10 rounds to earn a unanimous points-decision victory at Manchester’s Co-op LIVE.

It was a fight between two domestic fighters that could push the winner back into contention for a British title shot, while the loser would be left staring their time on televised cards down the barrel.

It was Conway’s first contest at a new weight of 168lbs, while Jeffers was returning to the weight class. it was his most recent action since a failed attempt at light heavyweight against Willy Hutchinson last October.

Despite being the one moving up in weight, Conway, 23-5-1 (7 KOs), looked far the bigger man, but his size wasn’t enough to outpoint the crafty Jeffers, 21-2 (7 KOs), who took the victory via scores of 97-93 (twice), and 96-94.

With the probability that the loser of the contest would likely leave town, there was an expectation around the arena that we could be in store for a back-and-forth clash. However, it did not turn out that way. The fight started brightly with Jeffers, 28, buckling the legs of Conway midway through the second with a right hand. Conway, 30, was in a world of trouble, ducking and weaving his way through an early onslaught on the ropes.

He would recover but struggled to find a footing in the fight, with Jeffers taking an early lead with his stiff jab and short shots on the inside. Conway’s long leavers just couldn’t find the target and Jeffers was happy to nick the rounds, albeit scrappily and not to the thrill of those seated in at Co-op LIVE. The seventh was better from Conway, who snapped Jeffers’ head back with a sharp jab, but once Jeffers pushed forwards Conway would again struggle.

With the fight surely slipping away on the cards Conway put his foot down in the eighth and made his first dent in Jeffers. Conway cracked Jeffers early into the session with a right hand that made Jeffers think twice about stepping in again.

The contest finally caught fire late into the ninth, much to the amusement of the couple thousand in attendance.

Conway again landed a right hand that Jeffers certainly felt and he followed it up with a left hook that shook Jeffers to his boots. Jeffers then burst forwards and landed a right hand that wobbled Conway, but unfortunately the bell put an end to the best exchange of the fight.

Conway pressed once more in the hope of landing something big in the 10th and final session, but it was too little too late. The pair finished the bout swinging for the hills, but the result had been secured long before; Jeffers will now look to secure a shot at the famous Lonsdale Belt at 168lbs.

Conway, meanwhile, may have to contemplate the end of his career.