It's joy for 40 year old Choi as he becomes Prizefighter's first featherweight champion
40 year old self styled 'Mongolian Warrior' Choi Tseveenpurev was ecstatic after triumphing in the 22nd edition of Sky TV and Matchroom Promotions Prizefighter competition at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday night.
Choi had been written off by many experts as being too old to win the first ever featherweight edition of Prizefighter, yet dominated his three opponents on the night, knocking out the previously unbeaten 24 year old Lee Glover in two rounds in the quarter finals, outlasting 20 year old Londoner George Jupp in the semi's, and then easily beating second favorite, Manchester's Rhys Roberts in the final by 30 points to 27 on the three judges scorecards.
Victory earned Choi a cheque for £32,000 plus the prestigious Prizefighter trophy, and there will have been few more popular winners than the likeable Mongolian in the tournaments four year history.
Choi had suffered a shock semi-final defeat in the super-featherweight edition of Prizefighter last year against Derry Mathews, an opponent he had previously KO'd in five rounds back in 2008. It was Choi's first defeat of any kind since 2004, and only his fifth in 38 fights (33 wins, 23 KO's).
It was clear that the Mongolian meant business from the first round of his opening bout against Glover, who goes by the nickname ''The Tipton Slasher''. Choi floored Glover in the opening round with a big right hand, and it was another right that finished the youngster off a minute into round two.
The even younger Jupp proved a much tougher test in the semi-finals, landing solid shots on Choi's jaw several times. But the Mongolian is renowned for being able to take it as well as dish it out, and finished the stronger to reach the final.
22 year old Roberts (15-2), had made the final with two comfortable wins, and on paper at least looked more than capable of denying Tseveenpurev his dream. Choi, however, was not to be denied, and proved beyond doubt what a special fighter he truly is - storming to a one-sided three round decision.
Afterward, the jubilant first ever Prizefighter featherweight champion told Sky Sports: "I used my experience and like a robot I just go on and on and on. Thanks to my fans, I love you all."
Dan Hunter is a lifelong boxing aficionado and our Boxing Editor.