Mandurah’s “Action” Jackson England was crowned the Australasian Featherweight champion after pummeling his way to a win against Filipino fighter Jio Alfriando in Perth on Friday night.
The local boxer was superb in claiming his first professional title, dominating across all six rounds as he landed blow after blow to claim the victory via unanimous decision.
I felt electric out there
- Jackson England
A powerful jab wobbled Alfriando in the second round, and from there England was able to take total control of the bout.
He put in an outstanding performance on all fronts to claim his first belt, in an effort the 20-year-old described as his best professional outing yet.
“So far, that’s the best fight I’ve had,” he said.
“I felt electric out there, I felt electric. Everything just came together, and there was never a point that I felt threatened or that I felt like I was losing control.
“I think [Alfriando] only landed four clean punches across six rounds so to put that kind of performance into a title fight is very special for me.
“It speaks to our preparation. My coach and I leave no stone unturned, and we work so hard, so to get my first title out of that is really pleasing.”
Claiming an Australasian title left the up-and-coming star stunned, but England said the achievement was beginning to sink in days after.
“After the fight I saw my mum and she was in tears, she was so happy, but I had to give her the belt and tell her to take it and thank all the people that were there with us because I needed some time in the rooms to soak it up,” he said.
“I didn’t even really celebrate that night. It was so surreal that I just wanted to get home to Mandurah and let it sink in.
“Now that it has it’s an awesome feeling.”
The win keeps England’s star on the rise moving him to a 6-1 record from his seven professional bouts, and is likely to open doors to bigger fights for the young stud.
“We’re currently discussing some potential match-ups for my next fight and things are really starting to get some momentum now,” he said.
“Things like international fights and other title bouts are on the cards, but for now we’re just back in the gym and getting to work.”