The Greater Manchester fighter ready to become a TV star after winning major title with stunning knockout

A Shaw boxing star is ready to become a TV star in 2024 after a major title triumph. 

Jack Rafferty won the Commonwealth super-lightweight title before Christmas with a stunning first-round knockout of Lee Appleyard at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre. The 28-year-old has now won all 22 of his fights and wants to take the next step and feature on Sky Sports, TNT Sports or DAZN over the next 12 months. 

“This win means everything after years of total commitment, intense training and complete determination,’ said Jack. “I went in hard straightaway, caught Lee off guard and dropped him. I’ve proved that I deserve my place at the top of the UK super lightweight division. Everything is possible now so in 2024 I’ll be boxing at Manchester Arena or maybe the O2 and getting a television contract.”

Jack trains alongside his younger brother Thomas at ‘The Finest Boxing Gym’ in Ancoats under Steve Maylett and the latter picked up an entertaining six-round points victory over Mexican Fernando Valencia on the same card. Undefeated in 10 professional contests, he hopes to be fighting for titles by the end of 2024.

The brothers’ fights were part of Pat Barrett’s Black Flash Promotions’ 10th anniversary show. Manchester’s Lewis Wood also beat Liverpool’s John Edwardson to take the Central Area super featherweight title in an explosive 10-round bout where the home favourite prevailed 96-94 on points despite hitting the canvas in the second round.

Two other local boxers Ryszard Lewicki and George Killeen also won their bouts.  Rochdale’s Lewicki is now undefeated in seven professional contests with highly-rated middleweight Killeen from Blackley, aged just 20, having won all four of his bouts in his first year in the paid ranks.