Wakefield boxer Dom Hunt was the star of the show on Trilogy at The Trin, the open-air boxing show staged last month at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, and which saw him win the WBA Continental European title at super welterweight. However, the show also provided two other local men the opportunity to showcase talent which demonstrates future championship potential.

Andrea Cikalleshi and Keanan Holford both train at Ric Bennett’s Trinity Boxing Club and both scored decisive victories. For Italian Albanian boxer Cikalleshi, who’s been steadily building up a local following since arriving in Wakefield five years ago, the immediate aftermath to his bout turned emotional as he realised that his parents had been in the stadium watching his bout along with his best friend from Italy. "I was taken aback," said Cikalleshi, "all I could say was I thought you didn’t like boxing. It was great to see them and great to have won the fight in what’s now my adopted hometown and where I’ve been made so welcome."

‘Andrea went up against Newark’s ‘Fonz’ Alexander who’s one of the most durable boxers around with 187 professional fights,’ explained Bennett. Andrea boxed the best I’ve ever seen him winning every round and remaining unbeaten in this his seventh paid bout in just over two years. It’s a credit to how much work he puts in both in and out of the gym.

Vocal support for ‘Wakey Warrior’ Holford was the loudest apart from for Hunt as a couple of hundred fans welcomed the local lad as he entered the ring to the sound of a Viking saga song which translates as My Mother Told Me and wearing trunks displaying the Wakefield Trinity colours. The crowd didn’t then let up chanting both the boxer’s and the city’s name. "Keanan faced a talented boxer in Hereford’s Jake Price and both fighters had to dig deep as they boxed in the baking heat while the spectators sweltered,’ explained Bennett. ‘It was a close fight, but Keanan knocked his opponent down with a right hook followed by a back hand left with about 45 seconds left of the bout. He’d been hoping for what he called ‘a demolition job’ and he delivered it to get the win in this his fourth professional bout in just twelve months."

Cikalleshi, 25, and Holford, 21, had shared their training camp with Hunt at Trinity. "I just want to be great. Do great things,’ said Cikalleshi. ‘I have two jobs one in a restaurant and one in a warehouse and camp was intense. I did strength and conditioning before work and then the boxing training after work up to ten sessions a week. There was little time to relax but when I do, you’ll find me walking, listening to music or reading. But the boxing is my absolute priority. I can’t wait to get out again."

Holford sees himself as a role model for the children whose transport he supervises in his day job and was in no doubt about ‘what a massive opportunity this was for me being on what’s the best show in Wakefield certainly while I’ve been boxing and likely for years. I’m grateful for the enthusiastic support from my extended family and so many, many friends. There are frustrations in pro boxing, you prepare hard then the opponent withdraws but this show turned out the best thing ever. I’m proud to represent this city and I’m looking to do some charity work perhaps one connected with improving men’s mental health. Boxing requires you to control emotions but is also the best way to relieve tension and get rid of negativity. Meanwhile I’m looking forward to my fifth pro bout in Barnsley in September. I need to keep busy.’

"I’m happy for Dom, obviously," concluded Bennett, "and his coach Pete Highton deservers congratulations too. It was great to see how they worked together. Big-time boxing landed in Wakefield. We were proud to welcome legends like Ricky Hatton, Josh Warrington, Joe Gallagher. A major title belt has a new home in Wakefield. We’re grateful both to our many sponsors and to Steve Wood, the Manchester-based promoter whose company VIP organised Trilogy at the Trin and who generously provides quality opportunities for local lads like Andrea and Keanan to develop their fanbase. A magnificent day for Wakefield."