Kelly works out Enigma code for winning return

THE MIDLAND BOXING BEAT WITH MIKE LOCKLEY

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RYAN Kelly is back to winning ways, but had to scrap for the six-round decision over Elliot Eboigbe at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on Sunday.

Make no mistake, the Manchester-based Italian came with ambition and is far better than his now 1-16 record suggests.

I didn’t expect him to be so competitive, I didn’t expect such an entertaining battle. Chelmsley Wood's Kelly, hampered by a hand injury from the third, won clearly, but knew he'd been in a fight.

Eboigbe has the ring nickname "Enigma" - dictionary definition: "a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand".

It's an apt label for unorthodox southpaw Eboigbe who'd soak-up shots then suddenly unleash with wild swings. At times, he flung himself into the fray like a whirling dervish.

Referee Kevin Parker gave him two rounds, scoring 58-56, which I felt a little harsh on the winner whose better boxing always had the last word.

I gave Eboige a share of two sessions, but that’s too close to Mr Parker’s decision for serious disagreement.