NEWPORT boxer Gary Buckland has made history for the Principality by becoming the first Welshman to win a boxing match in Mexico, a feat not even the great Howard Winstone could manage, writes Michael Pearlman.
Not since Winstone’s clash with Vicente Salvidar in Mexico City in October 1967 – some 44 years ago – has a Welshman laced up a glove over there until Buckland’s fight with Jose Gonzalez on Saturday ended with the St Josephs boxer a comfortable points winner.
That made Buckland the first and only Welsh winner in Mexico, the great Winstone suffering just one of three career defeats in a huge WBC and WBA world featherweight title fight.
And the good news doesn’t stop there for Buckland who will next challenge Gary Sykes – who he knocked out in Prizefighter – for his British title.
Purse bids are being considered and the Argus can reveal that should Buckland’s camp – Hatton Promotions – win the bid the fight is likely to be at the Newport Centre.
“Gary is excited by the title fight and thrilled with how he performed in Mexico having gone there at short notice,” manager Brian Powell explained.
“He’s made history and is now ready for the title fight he’s waited so long for... and hopefully it’ll be in Wales.”
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