WARRINGTON'S Warren Brown successfully defended his WKO world Thai boxing belt on Sunday in Southport against Belgian Basha Valon.

It was no mean feat, given that Brown learned on arrival that his opponent had a record of 26 wins from 26 fights.

Brown's coach Pele Nathan was delighted and described it as his toughest opponent with the exception of the Thai he fought last year.

The Belgian lasted the distance despite Brown stopping him with a left jab midway through the fight. But Brown came through it relatively unscathed and better for the fitness.

Nathan said: "He has really stepped up in class and looks like a natural Thai fighter.

"He was doing things that he did not believe he could do, such as using jabs and I think he was surprised by how much he hurt the guy with his jabs."

Brown was also happy that he had completed the first of his two big fights this month - with him putting his WAKO world title on the line against fellow Warringtonian Mark Matthews on April 22.

He said: "The first round I weighed him up and in the next two I stepped it up.

"At the end I knew I had won. Although I would have liked to have stopped him the practice has done me good.

"What has helped is my improved attitude where I do not take any fight lightly."

Nathan also attributed the win to this better mindset and reveled that the gym is 'buzzing' with all the fighters gelling well.

Two other fighters from Nathan's gym also won in Southport.

Frankie Hudders stopped his opponent in the second round with a kick and a left hook and Kevin Harper stopped it in the third with a one-two punch.

Such was Hudders' performance that he has been given a shot at the middleweight world title in June.