Romford-based Matchroom Boxing has a new world champion - lightweight Michael Ayers.

And what an inspired performance he produced to claim the vacant IBO world title after knocking out gutsy Columbian Luis Florez.

Promoter Barry Hearn may not have been enjoying the best of health over recent weeks but his delight at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Friday evening as the championship belt was put around Ayers' waist was plain for all to see.

And no wonder. Ayers entered the ring to tumultuous applause and set about his task positively from the opening bell.

He looked like a man in a hurry as he unloaded some powerful shots to Florez's head and body. That said, Florez took them well and even found time to return the compliment before the bell ended the round.

The action in the second and third rounds produced more of the same, both men having the crowd on their feet, such was the excitement generated from their battle.

Florez's cause was not helped by having a point deducted by the referee after he delivered three low shots into Ayers' groin.

But the real action came in the fourth round. A left hook put Florez put down for a count of eight and, although he was able to get back to his feet, he looked decidedly groggy.

Ayers saw his chance and guided the Columbian towards the corner of the ring before delivering the coup-de-grace, two crunching lefts, to send Florez sprawling and out for the count.

Within seconds the ring was packed with Ayers' supporters all trying to give their man a hug and wanting to share in his moment of glory.

This was a fine victory for Ayers. Florez was no mug, who had notched up 17 wins, a draw, including14 knockouts, from his 23 previous contests.

Not since April 1996 - when Jose Luis Lopez claimed the WBO welterweight title- has Matchroom been able to celebrate a world champion.

Hopes are now high that featherweight Richard Evatt can bring further honour to the Matchroom stable - and himself - when he challenges two-time world champion Junior Jones for the IBO world title in Manchester next month on the Prince Naseem Hamed/Paul Inge undercard.

Another Matchroom prospect, featherweight Marc P. Callaghan, from Barking, continued his winning ways at York Hall but, this time, he had to go the distance against Birkenhead boxer Peter Allen.

The first round belonged to Callaghan, who delivered some crisp, clean shots - and sustained a bloody nose in the process. But Allen came into the fight more in the second round to even things up.

Both men worked hard to gain the upper hand throughout their contest, producing some exciting boxing, even though they appeared, at times, to leave themselves rather open.

The start of the third round saw Allen take the fight to Callaghan, but the Barking youngster responded well and began to dominate the centre of the ring while urging Allen to come forward.

As in the third round, both men worked well in the fourth and final round, with neither of them prepared to give an inch in their quest for victory.

Although Callaghan had allowed himself to get more involved than had really been necessary, rather than relying more on his jab, he emerged a worthy 40-37 points victor to maintain his 100 percent record.

Sporting a black eye and a sore hand, Callaghan was philosophical about his performance. "I was a bit open," he admitted. "I've got to tighten up my defence a bit, but it's all a learning process, isn't it?

"Peter could punch quite hard but, believe it or not, I enjoyed myself out there."

David Kehoe's indiscipline in his lightweight contest against Jamie McKeever meant their contest was destined not to last the distance.

Although fired up for the fight, both men led with their heads, despite warnings from the referee.

At the end of the first round, Kehoe really seemed to have lost the plot, snarling loudly at McKeever as they made their way back to their stools.

In the second round, Kehoe delivered a good left to McKeever's head which was followed in the third minute by an almost inevitable clash of heads in which Kehoe sustained a nasty looking cut over his left eye.

The referee never hesitated in stopping the fight, much to Kehoe's chagrin.

Rather unsavourily, Kehoe then launched a tirade at McKeever before leaving the ring - a disappointing end to what had the makings of a good contest.

That winning feeling . . . an ecstatic Michael Ayers whoops with delight after winning the IBO version of the lightweight world title.

Picture: IVAN SAGE

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.