SPARTACUS keeps marching on to what is likely to be a Southern Area title shot before long.The 25-year-old light heavyweight from Bramford made it 11 wins out of 11 as a professional by beating Paul Bonson on Saturday night at the Norwich Sports Village.

By Dave Allard

By DAVE ALLARD

SPARTACUS keeps marching on to what is likely to be a Southern Area title shot before long.

The 25-year-old light heavyweight from Bramford made it 11 wins out of 11 as a professional by beating Paul Bonson on Saturday night at the Norwich Sports Village.

Spartacus, whose real name is Steve Smith, did well to overcome a tough 32-year-old from Featherstone whose previous fight was an impressive win over Welsh hot prospect Nathan King.

He finished with a hand injury that will need treatment this week, but is now well on course for a go at the vacant Southern Area crown, possibly against Radcliffe Green.

The Suffolk fighter won on points with a 58-57 decision, but most skilled observers at ringside thought the margin should have been far more in favour of the ex-Westbourne High School pupil.

Spartacus did his ever-growing reputation no harm against a rugged opponent who has never been stopped in a long career, apart from when cut.

The popular Bramford fighter, who was backed by a big crowd at the Sports Village, said: "I possibly learned more in that fight than in my previous ten. Bonson was such an awkward opponent. It is easy to understand why he has never been stopped. He was either on top of me or too far away.

"I wanted to open up more but couldn't. I hurt the hand early on and that's a worry. But hopefully X-rays will show that no serious damage has been done. Bonson certainly dug in and I had to dig deep. But I kept working and got another important victory."

Spartacus paced himself early on before beginning to get on top, doubling up on his jab at times and catching the former professional rugby league professional with some good crosses.

The more experienced northerner was giving second best to the younger man as the fight wore on with the superior hand speed of the Bramford boxer being a crucial difference.

In the closing rounds Spartacus got in some good hooks to the head and a variety of sharp body punches.

It was a worthy triumph against a game and wily opponent and the victor added: "They don't come much tougher than that. It was as good a ring work-out as you can get and another important win."