Dylan Cheema wins Opening Fight with Huge KO

Dylan Cheema was crowned BOXXER Series lightweight champion via a unanimous decision victory over Rylan Charlton in the final in Coventry.

Cheema knocked out Otis Lookham inside the first round of the opening quarter-final and beat Scott Melvin in the semi-finals.

Charlton came out swinging early in both of the first two rounds of the final, but Cheema wore his opponent down with his body shots and counterpunching.

Charlton began to tire as the fight wore on, although he produced one final assault late in the third in a stunning finish to the final.

But it was Cheema who emerged victorious to take home the £40,000 prize money.

Cheema, speaking to Sky Sports after his win, said: “Cream of the crop, this is absolutely fantastic.

“I owe it to every single person who’s turned out tonight because we came out to win. Respect to Rylan, he was really tough.

“This is the start. I’m ready for the bigger nights. I came into this tournament with two fights. I leave with five fights undefeated and one KO.

“I’ve got a good manager and a good team, and they’re going to guide me.”

In the semi-finals, Cheema had edged out Melvin by split decision, while Charlton delivered a knockdown of his own to beat Shaun Cooper in the third round of their bout.

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Earlier, Cheema got the evening off to a sensational start with his TKO victory over Lookham inside the first round.

In the other quarter-finals, Melvin won the battle with his training partner Tion Gibbs, while Charlton and Cooper both secured wins over Joe Underwood Hughes and Brooklyn Tilley.

Ahead of the fight, Dylan Cheema spoke to The Coventry Observer and said:

“I’m fully confident – you don’t enter a tournament unless you’re going to win.

“We’re in it to win it, we put the work in, it’s been tough, it’s been hard but we’re there win and make a statement, it’s been a long camp but we’re ready now.

“The first thing they’re going to see is my exciting style.”

“I bring a style to the ring that is a little bit unique, coming from my kickboxing background, they’re going to see something different.

“They’re also going to see my Indian drummers, my dhol players, that’s going to bring another level of excitement, raise the roof a little bit higher and bring that atmosphere and energy into the Arena on Saturday.

“I want to win the tournament and look to what is next, I’m going to have to win the tournament first and foremost but then I’m looking to win a Midlands title soon after as well.”