Yaser Al Ghena lifts vacant English super-lightweight title against Scarrott

Evolve fighter Yaser 'Yasii Boy' Al Ghena lifted the vacant English super-lightweight title at York Hall, Bethnal Green on 7 December 2024 - a Christmas cracker of a fight against another unbeaten contender, Midlands Area champion James Scarrott.

Al Ghena, the former Southern Area champion, controlled most of the bout with the classy footwork and target finding that have become his trademark. Scarrott, the Worcester man with an affable demeanour outside the ropes, proved 'bastard hard and relentless' inside them. Both men hunted an early finish; neither got one.

The fight went the ten-round distance and was settled on a majority decision. Two judges scored it 96-94, splitting on who had won it. The deciding card read 98-92 in Al Ghena's favour - and the English title belt was deservedly his.

It was the win that put Yaser firmly on the British super-lightweight map. Twelve months later, at the same venue, he would add the WBO European belt to the collection.