BENTHAM'S boxing sensation will now be fighting for a belt after his last fight of 2015 ended with another resounding victory.

Tomi 'TNT' Tatham blitzed his much heavier opponent, Curtis Gargano, winning every round and knocking him to the canvas in the final minutes at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday, December 12.

Although Gargano got back to his feet, Tatham's impressive points victory means he is now on track for televised fights and potential title bouts in 2016.

The 26-year-old treated his raucous 130-fan entourage to a classy spectacle, scaring his opponent with his power in the very first round.

Tatham said: "As soon as he felt my power he thought he wouldn't be able to fight me. He couldn't get the punches off that he wanted to."

Despite the fact that Tatham was really hoping for a knock-out, he is happy with his performance as Gargano spent much of the fight doing his best to avoid the Bentham boxer's bombs.

"It's always good to get the rounds in," said Tatham.

"I landed a few good body shots and put into practice a lot of the things we had been working on but it's frustrating because I wanted to get the stoppage and if he had opened-up more I would have got that."

Gargano, who is due to fight again in Manchester next week, will be under no illusions that he was in a real contest.

Speaking of the damage he inflicted on his rival, Tatham said: "In the first round I split his gum shield so he was spitting blood throughout the fight. Both his eyes had gone. Blood was pouring from his nose and mouth. If he's fighting next week then he's going to be very sore but we weren't in there to cuddle."

The polished performance meant a lot to Tatham, who recorded the only loss of his career the last time he took to the ring in Blackpool.

He also had to overcome some mind games from his vocal opponent.

He said: "He was trying to put me off my guard but it's all part of the game and I just kept my cool.

"The demons from the last fight were still there because it was the same venue but they definitely got put to bed - I won every round and put him down in the last one."

Under the expert guidance of Karl Ince, Tatham is turning into a genuine boxer as opposed to the raw fighter he was towards the start of his career.

"When I first started I was a bit like Rocky," he said.

"I could always take and give a punch but the art of boxing is being able to hit people without getting hit back. I want to thank Karl and all the amazing fans who travel with me and support me every step of the way. Everything's coming together at the right time."

Tatham will now take a short break as he prepared for what he hopes is a very successful 2016, but has vowed to keep training three times a week 'because you never stop learning'.

The Gazette would like ot thank Karen Priestly for the photographs.

Tomi Tatham's sponsors are: 

T.H plumbing & heating, Rob Piper Builders, shoe boxes for our heros LTD, NWSA, Head on Hypnosis, Room makers of fine furnature, salix Alba Maximous