DESPITE some 'out of order tactics' used by his opponent, Kingsteignton's Jamie Speight managed to keep his focus to lift the International Masters light-welterweight title at the Riviera Centre.

Roared on by what he describes as his 'amazing' fans, Speight overcame the plucky Ibrar Riyaz on points after ten barnstorming rounds at the Torquay venue on Saturday night.

He showed just what a true champion he is on the way to doing so – refusing to be rattled when Riyaz stirred things up.

The Reading-based Albanian not only threw a punch after the bell on two occasions, but was also warned by referee Grant Wallis for repeated striking to the back of Speight's head in the second round.

To add to the drama, Speight ended up flying out of the ring head first and on to the time-keeper's table during the seventh after Riyaz pushed away one of his attacks.

He believes he should have been given more protection by Mr Wallis.

'That (the tactics) was just sheer desperation,' said the 22-year-old. 'He knew he was losing and he knew the only way he was going to beat me was to knock me out or wind me up that much that I lose composure.

'He threw me out of the ring, punched me with two hard shots after the bell and hit me with what must have been a good six shots on the back of the head. He bit me in the seventh round as well – I've got a bite mark on my shoulder.

'I said to him after "that's a bit out of order". He just said that he had to do something to wind me up.

'I think the referee did an all right job but he was wrong in the sense that he should have had a lot more to say about what he (Riyaz) done. To hit someone twice after the bell – and it wasn't like accidentally, there was a pause – is not on.

'Imagine if he'd landed a knockout blow after the bell – what would have happened then?

'It doesn't matter now – I'm the champion so it makes no difference.'

Speight used everything in his arsenal on his way to claiming the victory – and he needed to.

Having been outpointed by Speight in Chippenham only six weeks previously, Riyaz was fired up for the rematch.

He was certainly undaunted by the prospect of fighting in Speight's 'home' territory, and went straight for the former Teign School, Kingsteignton, student from the first bell.

But Speight boxed fantastically on the back foot during the early stages and soon got into his stride, dishing out some real punishment by the fifth and sixth rounds.

There were a few occasions where Speight looked likely to finish his opponent off, only for Riyaz to scrap his way out of trouble.

The Albanian was clearly a tough boy, but Speight battled away and managed to extend his pro record to eight wins from eight courtesy of a 98-94 points decision.

'It was a good fight and I utilised everything I've got,' said Speight.

'I worked on the inside and I worked up the middle. I used uppercuts, and I kept him at long range. My jab worked perfectly – he walked into that a lot.

'A lot of people were taken aback by his size, saying he was a lot wider and muscular than me, but I said it made no difference, I know my ability, and I'm comfortable with my skills.

'And there was no way I was leaving that arena without that belt.'

Speight said he is more likely to vacate the title and drop back down to lightweight than take the option of a mandatory first defence against former champion Curtis Woodhouse.

On the Wednesday before the fight, he weighed in at 9st 8lb, meaning he needed to add a few more pounds to make the light welterweight level, eventually reaching 9st 11lb 8oz.

Speight commented: 'I had to be over 9st 9lb to fight for the title, so if I'd gone in at my normal weight, the natural weight I was on the Wednesday, I wouldn't have even been able to box for the title because I would have been too light.

'I had to drink and eat extra food to put the weight on to get up to 9st 11lb to fight for the title. That proves in itself that I'm only a lightweight really.'MORE SPORT ON LINE