CARDIGAN ABC southpaw Ioan Croft replaced twin brother Garan at late notice to take on Gloucester's Bailey Hannis (Factory ABC) at Balcarras School, Cheltenham, on Saturday evening – and proceeded to pull off a dramatic stoppage victory in the third round.
The bout had been offered to Garan late on Friday afternoon, but the Crymych youngster was forced to withdraw after damaging his thumb sparring.
Ioan, 16, currently campaigning at 56kg, elected to take the bout in the 60 kg lightweight division – a gamble that paid off spectacularly.
A strong, powerfully-built opponent, Hannis threw some very dangerous shots early on, but Croft's defence and accurate punching enabled him to gain control halfway through the first round.
Croft caught the Gloucestershire boy with a good right-hand body shot halfway through the second, the pain showing clearly on Hannis' face.
The Welsh teen then started working the body with some cruel right and lefts, eventually dropping Hannis for an eight count.
Croft continued to up the pressure in the third and eventually put Hannis down with a good left to the body from which he failed to recover.
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