Boxing: Perfect fans please McCracken: Smooth ride for the fighter trying to lose his troublesome supporters

(First Edition)

ROBERT McCRACKEN saluted his 'real' supporters after an emphatic 21st straight professional victory at London's York Hall on Tuesday night.

They were on trial following rioting at McCracken's British light-middleweight title defence against Steve Foster at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre a month ago.

But this time the only violence was in the ring where he gave Bristol's Dean Cooper a fourth-round beating in a non-title bout.

McCracken said: 'Those who caused all that trouble were no fans of mine or Foster. All they were concerned about was fighting.

'These were the real ones. Their behaviour was perfect and they created a great atmosphere.

'I was delighted to give them a good performance. Cooper had lost only once in 17 fights and I felt I took him apart.'

The 50 or so who travelled from Birmingham saw McCracken have his man reeling against the ropes with a sustained attack at the end of the third round.

A big right hand early in the next almost put Cooper down and another forced the referee Roy Francis to intervene after 63 seconds of the round.

McCracken added: 'I've been working on the combinations. One-twos are no good in this game.

'I feel I'm improving all the time. If I keep on working hard, the rewards will come.'

He may have one more defence before Christmas, then turn his attention to the European title.