Simon Vallily is feeling on track for British cruiserweight title success after producing a career-best performance on the back of his extra work with sprint star Richard Kilty.
The Middlesbrough fighter is doing strength and conditioning with fellow Teessider Kilty to accompany the hours he spends in the gym with his coach Michael Marsden.
And the fruit of his labour was there for all to see on Sunday as he steamrollered Richard Vicena at Rainton Meadows Arena to record his sixth pro victory, and first inside the distance.
Vallily, 29, left the Czech journeyman flat on his back with a third round left hook, at around the same time that Kilty added the European indoor 60m title to his World crown in Prague.
“I was really pleased with my performance and a lot of credit goes to Mick and Richard for all of the work we’ve been putting in,” he said.
“I’m feeling more explosive and I’d like to think it showed.
“Someone told me that Richard had won the Europeans when I got out of the ring and it put the cherry on top of my day.
“I’ve got a good foundation,” Vallily added.
“I’ve worked with some top class coaches and Mick is right up there.
“He is very experienced and knowledgeable and he spots my strengths and weak points straight away and we work on them.
“He is no-nonsense as well and tells me exactly how it is.
“That’s what I need and hopefully with the full package I’ve got with my training this is going to be a breakthrough year.”
Vallily kept Vicena on the defensive throughout, and the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist looked at his best when pumping out a powerful jab and boxing rather than trying to blast the veteran out with big swings.
The clinical finish arrived 40 seconds into the third round and in the centre of the ring rather than on the ropes or in a neutral corner, where Vallily trapped Vicena at the start of the session.
“I was most pleased with my jab,” the former ABA champion said. “That’s what we’ve been working on.
“I’ve got a brilliant jab and now I’m using it to my full advantage, because I sicken people and break them down with it.
“Some of the jabs I was hitting him with even in the first round were like back hands.
“It was my first knockout as a pro, but I always knew they would come.
“I’ve got knockout power in both hands but the more you look for a KO, the less it comes.
“You’ve just got to relax and that’s what I did. I stayed relaxed and the knockout came.”
Vallily needed a couple of stitches next to his right eye after being cut in a head clash before the dramatic finish.
But he is already back in the gym and working with Kilty again ahead of his next bout on Matchroom’s April 4 Newcastle Arena show featuring Bradley Saunders and Anthony Joshua.
Vallily takes a step up in class against Paul Drago, an unbeaten Lithuanian based in Bolton.
Tickets are available from Simon’s sponsor, Peri Peri Original on Linthorpe Road.
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