Ellison knocks down Fitzpatrick, but unbeaten Northern Irishman battles back for points success

Ellison put the Irishman down in round two at the York Hall, but the unbeaten Northern Irishman clinched a 38-37 points victory after four competitive rounds.

Coach Peter Cope said: “Jordan can box better, but you have to take into account who he was boxing.

“He was up against a lad who’s won a Commonwealth Games silver medal and Joe looks the part.

“But it was typical Jordan, he never gives in and had him down in the second.

“He was competitive in three of the four rounds but while he had hs moments, his spells in charge were not long enough and the decision was a fair one.

“Jordan is boxing again in a couple of weeks and he did his reputation, again, no harm, by going on the road and giving a prospect a hard time.”

The first round belonged to Fitzpatrick, but he was given a wake-up call in the second when an Ellison right introduced him to the canvas for the first time.

Fitzpatrick took the count and saw the round out but Ellison was back in business.

Jordan gave it his all in the third and fourth rounds, but the Belfast man had the edge and took the decision from referee Bob Williams.

“Joe had stopped four out of four and Jordan said he’s never been hit harder,” added Cope.

“But Jordan more than held his own and showed again that he can fight.”