WARRINGTON professional boxer Casey Brown defied a hand injury to achieve a winning return to the ring at the weekend.

The 25-year-old, after a break from fights to focus on his family, defeated southpaw opponent Nathan Darby from Rotherham via a comprehensive points decision at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.

Referee David Mulholland scored the bout 40-36 in favour of Brown, a former Beamont Collegiate Academy student who started out at Phoenix Fire ABC aged 10.

It was Brown’s first outing since the loss to Harvey Lambert at Manchester Arena on March 25, 2023, and his first win since facing Jake Bray at the AJ Bell Stadium in Eccles on June 18, 2022.

In contrast, this was Darby’s eighth fight since turning professional at the start of the year and is yet to win – seven defeats on points and one by knockout.

“I’d had nearly 16 months out and there’s been a lot of changes to my life but it was good to be back,” said Brown, who joined the paid ranks three years ago after 103 amateur fights.

“It was tricky. He came and had a go and it was four decent rounds. It’s one thing sparring, but it’s different being under the lights and having the pressure of all the fans being there.

“But it went relatively to plan. I was getting the shots off that I’d been working on but I hurt my hand in the first round so I had to readjust a little bit but I kept going.”

Brown admitted his hand was giving him trouble afterwards.

“My hand was absolutely throbbing to bits. I felt it go in the first round – his head is hard, I can tell you!”

He hopes to take a short break this week and then crack on, hopefully with his hand improved.

“I’ll get back in the gym as quickly as possibly and get going again,” he said.

“I’ve had one six-rounder before and I’d love to step back up to that, aiming to fight again in September or October.

“I think I need to get back to training even more, and more specific, get back to the six rounders, keep building things up and then by the end of next year be looking for titles. That’s where we want to be.”

Brown got off to a fast start and quickly shook off his ring rust, hammering Darby with straight right counters and lead left hooks within the first round.

Darby made the contest slightly trickier in the second round, replying with more intent and urgency, however Brown managed to close the period with more eye-catching shots.

Rounds three and four saw Brown dominate his opponent by applying the pressure and beating Darby to the punch.