Taylor vs McCaskill: Gamal Yafai and Felix Cash earn stoppage wins

By Matt Horan

Image: Gamal Yafai (L) stopped Ricky Starkey in the third

Gamal Yafai and Felix Cash both recorded stoppage victories at York Hall on Wednesday night.

The two unbeaten fighters have had a frustrating 12 months in the sport, but they rounded off the year in style and can now kick on in 2018.

Yafai, the current WBC International super bantamweight champion, kicked off proceedings in Bethnal Green as he improved his record to 13-0.

'The Beast' took little time in getting rid of Ricky Starkey, showing explosive power before the referee halted the contest in the third.

Yafai, 26, who is chasing a British title opportunity for 2018, showed good movement and regularly found a home for the right hand to the body as he made a mature start.

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In the second, Starkey, a late notice replacement, cut a languished figure as Yafai marched forward and loaded up on his shots, little disregard for anything coming back at him, before the finish came soon after in the next.

It was good to get back in the ring, I was getting back to my normal ways as the fight went on. Next year, I just want to be fighting more regularly and want to be in big fights.
Gamal Yafai

Promoter Eddie Hearn said afterwards: "Gamal's done his apprenticeship and we would like to see him fight for the British title or take on Gavin McDonnell, potentially that fight could land on the Kell Brook card in March."

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Cash once again demonstrated what is becoming familiar knockout power, taking out Greg O'Neill inside one round.

Image: Felix Cash (R) proved a class above Greg O'Neill

After a body shot had 'The Real Deal' down early on in the first, a right hand landed flush on the chin that forced a wilting O'Neill back onto the ropes before the referee decided he was in no position to continue.

Cash said afterwards: "He came in swinging and I picked a lively body shot, then I finished it off soon after. It's been a bit of a nightmare year injury-wise, but that's behind me now.

"I would like to step up from here and fight for the English or the Southern Area title early next year."

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