Matty McHale successfully defends Commonwealth title as boxing returns to Portobello Town Hall after 72 years
Boxer Matty McHale was thrilled to register his first victory as a professional in his home city as the 29-year-old retained his Commonwealth super flyweight title.
McHale had fought all nine of his previous bouts in Glasgow or East Kilbride, prior to Friday night's success at the Capital's Portobello Town Hall, the first pro boxing event at the venue in 72 years.
His victory over Ijaz Ahmed, an 11th-round stoppage after his opponent was deemed unable to continue due to an eye injury, was McHale's ninth in ten contests.
He is now desperate to keep climbing the ladder and has his eye on one of the big guns.
"I feel amazing," he said. "All the hard work through training camp, 14 weeks of hard graft and that's what happens. There were no corners cut.
"I'm just happy to be fighting in Edinburgh for the first time in three years as a professional. I believe this is big championship nights of boxing coming back to Edinburgh. It's where boxing belongs. It's the Capital. What a reception I got, everyone was going wild, so it was great. I loved it.
"I believe I did everything right. I stuck to the game-plan how I was going to box, and used everything I've got - my jab is my best asset. I've got a lot of stoppages on my record as a professional, but that doesn't count. I'm a great boxer as well and I think I showed that. I got a bit greedy at times and caught up in the moment with the crowd, but Terry (McCormack) can soon bring me back down to earth. He's the boss so whatever Terry says we go with.
"I'm easy for anything now. I would like a shot at the IBO champion Ricardo Malajika, the South African. That's the boy I'd like to face. I believe I could take that fight and beat him.
"I'm always ready. I'm always in the gym so I'm easy. I could get a phone call to go in three weeks and I'd be ready. Were do I go from this? I've put a target on my back. I need to keep the same attitude and keep grinding."