Brantford’s Black Eye Boxing Club has finished an historic amateur card with five wins from eight local fights.

The eighth annual Friday Night Fights Under Lights featured a record eight local fighters, something coach Bill Williams has never seen in Brantford since bringing his talents to the city in 1968.

Headlining the show was young-gun John Mercante, a 220-pound 23-year-old with a bright future ahead of him in the sport.

“John and I are going up to London to spar with the former cruiser-weight champion Frank White to see how he goes,” Williams said. “We’re not rushing it, but we’re hoping he’ll go pro in May next year.”

Mercante fought Bobby Sullivan in a four-round main event at the amateur card, beating him by decision.

While Williams doesn’t want to get ahead of himself, he said Mercante has the ability and the drive to become a professional boxer.

“I think in Canada he can make some real noise,” Williams said. “He’s only 23, he’s strong as a bull, this is what he wants to do and his cardio is through the roof.”

More than 500 people packed into the enclosed yard behind Knights of Columbus on Catherine Avenue last Friday to watch the amateur fight night and spur on the Brantford contingent.

On top of hosting a card with more local fighters than he’d ever seen in Brantford, Williams was happy with the record his crew tallied.

“We had a chance to win them all I thought,” he said. “But five from eight is good.”

Also fighting on behalf of the Brantford boxing club, Jess Elsdon (154 pounds) defeated Jenna Nixon of Hanover in a decision.

John Murtland (160 pounds) beat Kyle Millette of London by decision. Craig Hudson (250 pounds) knocked out Todd Christie of Toronto and Shawn Tooke (200 pounds) defeated Pat Newbegining of Hanover in a unanimous decision.

Brantford’s three losses came to Darren Fletcher (165 pounds), who lost a split decision to Lee Thibeault of London. Jassem Jassem (150 pounds) lose to Ryan Calhoun of London by decision and Sal Jassem (155 pounds) lost to John Patsidiotis of Toronto by decision.