Former electrician Ian Entwistle got the sparks flying as he won only his second professional cage fight in an electric performance at Bolton Arena.

Entwistle fought on the Knuckle-Up ‘Kings of the North’ bill which was was headlined by UFC veteran Jeff Monson and is due to be shown on Sky TV.

The former Hollins High School pupil only started fighting 18 months ago, after his football career was cut short by injury aged just 16.

He then went on to work as an electrician before running the Level One nightclub in Accrington.

However the 23-year-old continued his rip-roaring start to his pro-fighting career, knocking out seasoned pro Liam Bennett, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, inside 1min 37 seconds of the first round.

Entwistle, who fights in the lightweight division (73kg), came out fast throwing a left hook, which forced Bennett into a takedown attempt.

However Entwistle reacted, catching him clean with his knee, before a whirlwind of punches caused the referee to intervene and brought fight to the end.

Entwistle has now won two out of two professional bouts and was named fighter of the night by MMA Hit Pit magazine.

He is trained by Jimmy Hey and Ian Longson at the East Lancs Predators gym on Gillies Street.

Entwistle’s victory topped off a good week for the gym.

Mark Ryder won his third semi pro fight at the Lava and Ignite nightclub in Preston, winning on a majority decision after the bout went the full two rounds.

The gym also made a good start in this year’s Mixed Marshall Arts (MMA) league. They took 12 fighters to the K star gym in Birmingham, including some newcomers. finishing in a respectable second place.