Unbeaten Mayo pro boxer storms to first title

Sperstar Mayo puncher Rachel Lally took the next step on her historic professional boxing journey over the weekend, as she secured title honours in some style in the Middle East.

Lally, known as 'The Bullet from Belmullet', has had a mighty ascent in the pro ranks since lacing up the gloves at this level twelve months ago.

Now, the 2012 Irish under-age champion had a chance to step into the vacant title of UBO International Super Middleweight Champion.

On Sunday at 2 pm, many local eyes would have been on Lock Stock and Barrel, with Lally about to take on the biggest test of her career.

Across the ring was a serious adversary in Leila Yusuph Macho. Macho had shown plenty of pedigree in her native Tanzania, with four wins and one by way of knockout, to her name.

The stakes were high, and Lally stepped up to the plate. Both were not just fighting for the belt, but a huge chance to ascend through the rankings, with Lally in the top five and Macho at number ten.

The bout, Lally's first eight-round fight of her career, was one in which the Mayo woman put in a convincing performance. However, she didn't have it all her own way, and described Macho as a boxer she had to use plenty of ring IQ around.

By the end, when all scorecards came in, Lally was awarded a unanimous victory. Her arm was raised in the air, and the glistening UBO belt was around her waist, marking another step on an excellent pro career for the Golden Gloves woman.

The celebrations could be heard back in the Erris capital where sporting dreams never wane.