KIERAN Hunter Love landed the vacant 57kg Northwest ABA Challenge belt against Leigh's Lewis Ryder following defeat to the same opponent at the home show.

The Blackburn and Darwen Police ABC prospect saw him impress the judges and claim victory by a unanimous points decision at a packed Lowton Civic Hall.

Losing to a split decision last time, the opening round saw some ferocious exchanges with Ryder possibly edging it.

With a change of tactics in the second round, Hunter Love caught his opponent with two or three punch combinations to dominate the round.

The final round was nip and tuck too, again Hunter Love’s combinations proving too powerful and the judges saw his superior work rate as a major factor in influencing their decision.

Head coach Yaqoob Hussain said: “We were all over the moon for Kieran, and this made up for the disappointment he felt at the home show.

“Kieran has continued to make steady progress and he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.”