Belts are proving to be rather like buses for St Ives Boxing Academy star Karl Wheeler.

The Peterborough-based fighter waited until the age of 33 to sample title glory - and then two turned up in as many months!

Cruiserweight Wheeler has followed up his British Challenge title success against Biola Kudus back in March by winning the International Challenge crown last night.

Wheeler breezed to a smooth points success at the York Hall in London when seeing off old stager Jindrich Velecky of the Czech Republic.

Wheeler won all eight rounds on his way to the 12th victory of a professional career often interrupted by bad injuries – even though he suffered a suspected broken right thumb during the opening three minutes.

A Southern Area title fight now beckons later in the year for Wheeler, who is trained locally by Steve Whitwell.

And it surely won’t be long until hot St Ives prospect Bradley Smith is challenging for titles himself.

The highly-rated teenager extended his unbeaten professional record to four fights with a points triumph against Andy Harris on the same York Hall bill last night.

And while Smith was unable to add a second KO to his promising CV, he was pleased with the way he performed in the capital.

Smith, having his first outing under the guidance of trainer Barry Smith, said: “I boxed well and a few people thought it was my best performance yet.

“I wobbled him a few times and could probably have took him out in the second round, but the main thing is getting another win.

“Hopefully I can move on now and get a fight on a big show in September time.”