BOXING: Junaid Bostan continues on the learning curve with points victory over Ryan Amos

Not least of all he can handle a snarlingly aggressive, if smaller-statured, fighter with experience and a championship belt to his credit.

And completing eight rounds in the pressure cooker atmosphere at Sheffield Arena should bode well for the future.

The 21-year-old switch hitter from Eastwood had gone into the bout with five straight KOs to his credit. He left the ring with a 79-73 points victory awarded by referee Kieran McCann and a lesson or two which should help him as he progresses and matures.

The rising Matchroom star admitted he felt "a bit underwhelmed" after concluding the contest against Nottingham's Amos, a ten-match unbeaten warhorse who had collected the Midlands Area Super Welter belt in March.

Bostan told the Advertiser: "He was in the awkward category of opponents, a tough man, but it was good in the sense of it being a learning fight and I was in full control.

"Unfortunately you can't get everybody out of there. Some days you just have to grind it out and do what was needed to be done.

"I believe I'm 13th in Britain now (ranking) and I am moving faster than most and I am grateful for the opportunities I am getting."

The scale of support from the fans certainly touched Bostan.

"Performing in front of friends and family — and the reception I got — was brilliant," he said.

"I sold touching 300 tickets and I'd like all the people who supported me there and those who were watching at home."

The former Clifton Community pupil, however, rated his performance as mediocre saying: "When you are used to getting boys out of there, you are going to be happy but you're not going to be fully satisfied.

"You always like the cherry on top by getting a stoppage.

"But over time, in the run of things, I am going to be delighted I got eight rounds in and I am only going to take positives out of it and look how I can improve and go from there.

"I could have done better but you live and learn.

"I proved I could do the rounds and I picked my shots. I am only going to get better."

Admitting he was some way off being "the finished article" won't do him any harm as a young man firmly in the crosshairs of fame and fortune — he simply has to keep his feet on the floor.

That was drilled into him in the first round when Amos, a small but muscle-bound 32-year-old, came at him bristling with aggression.

The Grant Smith-schooled home boxer knew he had to defend and counter with his longer reach and soon signalled that intent with a nicely-delivered uppercut.

Amos landed on Bostan's chin half-way through to remind the Rotherham fighter of the dangers of climbing the boxing ladder.

But the Nottingham man's reliance on looking for the big KO was his undoing as Bostan cleanly picked him off on the counter, including a meaty left in the final session.

The Rotherham prospect was on the undercard of Sheffield gym mate Dalton Smith's seventh round TKO of Sam Maxwell, when the British and Commonwealth Super Lightweight trinkets were on the line.