Luke Jackson recaps homecoming win: “I’m ready to step it up”

 
LUKE Jackson entered Hobart City Hall on Saturday night looking to made a statement.

 
Less than three rounds into his fight with former world title challenger Nouldy Manakane, he did exactly that.

 
Jackson (9-0, 4 KOs) dominated Manakane (29-18-2, 18 KOs) from the opening bell, dictating the pace of the fight while also controlling the distance as the Indonesian visitor struggled to land anything of significance.

 
The former Olympic captain and proud Tasmanian landed a well timed left rip on Manakane’s body, which almost instantaneously folded over the former world title challenger, prompting the stoppage from referee Frank Hadley.

 
“It felt amazing to be able to fight at home,” said Jackson in an interview with Aus-Boxing.

 
“Everyone came out to show their support,”

 
“Hopefully we can continue to bring some big fights back to Tasmania and give the young kids in the state a chance to fight on a big card,”

 
A vocal crowd packed itself into the Hobart City Hall, which resembled the iconic York Hall on an entertaining night of boxing presented by Adam Wilcock’s Fightcard Promotions.

 
The live stream also did solid numbers, verifying the point that Jackson is a solid draw in his hometown.

 
“Everything went to plan, training camp went amazing and it showed in the performance,” Jackson explained. “In the first round, I just felt him out and established my jab,”

 
“In the second round, I landed a few strong right hands and cut his eye, I could see him getting frustrated that he couldn’t hit me,”

 
“Billy told me to step it up and I landed a perfect left rip to his body and it was over,” exclaimed Jackson. “I’ve been working on hitting the body more in camp and it worked.”

 
With no likely challengers presenting themselves domestically at featherweight, Jackson, 30, may look at challenging for the national title in a second division in a potential move to a stacked super featherweight division.

 
“I had a meeting with my team, including my promoter Adam Wilcock, my manager Mike Altamura and Billy Hussein after the fight,” Jackson added. “I’ve told them I’m ready to fight again straight away.”

 
“Whether it be at featherweight or super featherweight, I don’t care – I’m ready to step it up – and continue to learn and become a better fighter,”

 
“I want to thank everyone in Tasmania that showed their support by attending the fight plus the media in Hobart for the support over the last 13 years.”

 
 
Photo: Aus-Boxing