TRAINER Stephen Melton has lauded the performance of his young protege Michael Fafera after the York boxer fought his way to victory in "his toughest fight to date."

Fafera moved his undefeated record as a professional to five wins from as many fights after recording a 40-37 points decision over the former Central Area champion Darryl Sharp at the Banqueting Suite at Elland Road, Leeds.

It's the first time the light heavyweight has faced a former title holder and his trainer Melton was full of praise with his fighter's display.

“It was a really good performance from Mikey," said Melton. "It was one of his best performances to date.

"He kept it at range throughout the fight. That kid who he boxed, he’s a tough kid.

"He’s had 60-odd fights, he’s won the Central Area title before and he’s boxed lots of good lads, the British champion Liam Williams being one of them.

"That was definitely Mikey's toughest fight to date.

"If I could criticise Mikey for anything, I’d have liked to have seen him use his jab a little bit more.

"But, that aside, he boxed really well. He showed his potential.

"He used his boxing skills, which is good to see because in his previous fights he’s known for having a bit of a tear-up and to get stuck in.

"He doesn’t need to do that because he’s a big, long and rangy boxer. He needs to keep his opponents at that range and he did that, which was really pleasing.

The rangy Fafera did however get drawn into the clinch on a few occasions during the bout, allowing Sharp to cut the natural distance in Fafera's favour.

Melton believes it's a trait which Fafera will develop in time as he looks to fully make the adaptation from the unlicensed circuit, where he began his career, to the professional stage.

"There were a couple of times when he was drawn in, particularly when his opponent was taunting him," added Fafera's coach.

"But, that was only his fifth professional fight.

"This process is a learning curve. The more fights he has the more he will learn things like that.

"He's brought in a strength and conditioning coach into the team too, so he's getting a lot fitter now as well.

"We’ve had top end sparring too which goes with the fights.

"He’s sparred Billy Joe Saunders - a current world champion, Lyndon Arthur - who’s fighting for the Commonwealth title in his next fight and Kody Davies - a former Team GB amateur.

"That’s high end sparring and they keep inviting us back for sparring, so we must be doing something right.

"If he carries on progressing the way that he has been doing, I can’t see any reason why he can’t push on to the top and do York proud."