Black Flash Promotions returned to Liverpool on Saturday night (July 7) with a card which showcased the talent from the city’s famous Golden Gloves gym.

Hakeem Palmer, 6-0-1 (2 KOs), headlined the five fight card and although he was expected to outbox Mexican trialhorse, Fernando Valencia, the unbeaten 23-year-old did so in impressive fashion. 

Almost every British middleweight prospect needs to pass the Valencia test at some point in their career and, although they all beat him, few handle him as comfortably as the 6ft 3in tall Palmer managed to. 

Using his height and reach advantages with educated control, Palmer bossed from center ring and utilized his jab to good effect. Once he’s established that weapon, Palmer steadily increases the variety and imagination of his work. He won every second of the six-round fight.

Palmer looked like an interesting talent when he appeared on the north west circuit two years ago but lost a little steam when was held to a disappointing draw with Angel Emilov last year. Since then, he has racked up three straight victories and will be back in action in two weeks’ time when he fights India’s Neeraj Saini, 6-4 (6 KOs), in Dubai. 

Palmer is still 18 months away from competing for titles but if he continues to develop at his current rate, he could become an interesting prospect.

James Francis, 4-1 (1 KO), rebounded from a  first career victory by outpointing Naem Ali at super lightweight. Francis worked well to head and body in his first fight since linking up with Wayne Smith at Golden Gloves and controlled the four round fight.

Safiullah Sediqi, 3-0-1, remained unbeaten by outpointing Mohammed Wako at super featherweight. The Liverpool-based Afghan is a ball of energy and aggression but is beginning to learn when to inject pace into a fight and how to pick his shots. He was too fast and strong for the Hull-based Ethiopian and won a four round decision.

Super featherweight, Rio Pierre, 3-1, notched up another win but the Liverpudlian fell into his habit of fighting rather than boxing during the middle rounds of his four round win over Jake Pollard. 

Charlotte Powell, 4-1-1, beat Slovakian journeywoman Klaudia Ferenczi over six two minute rounds at super flyweight. Ferenczi turned professional back in 2009 and was competing in her 141st fight and despite giving away height and reach to Powell, she knew more than enough to stay safe and make it through without taking any significant damage.