Copper Reading grinds out victory on his pro debut

At the age of 38 it was the police officer’s first pro fight as the Shamrock fighter weighed in at 14st 6lb, with Cesna 8oz heavier.

It was a messy but entertaining first round with the Lithuanian throwing a large number of punches that didn’t find their target and Reading, from Hitchin, far more circumspect with his shots.

Reading connected with a nice left before being thrown to the floor with Cesna claiming a knockdown. No count was given and Reading proceeded to land the better shots with a number of good rights against Cesna, who was already puffing hard at the bell.

Cesna, 32, continued to roll forward with Reading picking his punches as the Lithuanian tried to tie him up whenever possible.

A punch to the back of the head saw Cesna warned into the second as he held on to Reading at every opportunity to get a breather.

Cesna continued to spoil at every opportunity in the third as the fight turned into a real battle of attrition.

Both fighters were given a dressing down by the referee at the start of the fourth as Cesan made a lively start.

Each boxer was deducted a point for holding two minutes into the final round as it finally burst into life. Cesna threatened before Reading caught him with a peach of right and, although Cesna celebrated at the final bell, it was the ‘house’ fighter whose hand was lifted aloft.