Northampton boxing star Conway issues statement of intent after title success

Kieron Conway was a convincing winner on Friday night (pictures: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Conway was in superb form, almost stopping Nav Mansouri before eventually earning a unanimous points decision in the 10-round scrap at Matchroom Fight Camp.

And after securing the first title win of his career, Conway is setting his sights on the likes of Anthony Fowler and Ted Cheeseman in an exciting super-welterweight division.

"Over the years, a lot of people have said I'm behind them and then they end up behind me," said former Kings Heath ABC amateur Conway.

"I'm 24 years old, he (Fowler) is 29, a few years ahead of me with his experience and his awareness, but I'm coming.

"Whether it's now or later, I'm coming."

Conway has already pushed Cheeseman all the way in the past and looks to have all the tools he needs to make it to the top.

He was far too good for a valiant Mansouri, who resisted a seventh-round barrage as he managed to finish the fight.

And Conway said: "I loved it.

"Apart from having no crowds, I think the whole setup is how all boxing shows should be.

"The week's been really good and everything ran so smoothly.

"Out there, in the ring, it's unbelievable.

"Even without hundreds of people, it's wicked out there.

"I knew he would come out fast and I knew that after a few rounds, my size and strength that people don't see would come out on top.

"I'm a big lad now, I've refuelled, I'm big for the weight and it drains people.

"I planned to have a slower first few rounds and the whole fight went exactly how I'd planned, except it went 10 rounds.

"Everything went to plan, round by round.

"My best round (the seventh) was the round we planned was going to be my best round. He did really well to get through that because I was landing a lot of shots."

The win against Mansouri is a stepping stone for Conway.

And he added: "He (Mansouri) is highly rated, he's had a few title fights and he held the English title for a long time.

"He's said it's the best he's ever been and he's highly ranked so hopefully it pushes me more up there.

"He was very similar to what I prepared for except I didn't expect the flicky jab - I expected him to come for me a bit more and stick it on me a bit more.

"But after a few rounds I knew he'd start messing, smothering me because I am stronger than I look.

"As soon as people realise I'm not going anywhere, they start to hold and try to make me a mess."