Newly-crowned champion Billy Bird is not ruling out the prospect of an immediate rematch with Matt McCarthy for the Southern Area super welterweight title, writes Alex Moss.

The Braintree-based boxer beat the former champion McCarthy via points decision to claim the belt at the Brentwood Centre on Saturday night.

The bout was also a final eliminator for the English title, but the former Sudbury Boxing Club member admits he may first have to take on McCarthy again before he can turn his attention to a shot at the English belt.

“Matt’s got some time off now but he’s got first refusal and might ask for the rematch,” Bird said.

“They requested a rematch clause in the contract so we’ll have to wait and see what he wants to do.

“If he wants a rematch then we get it on again, failing that obviously the fight was a final eliminator so I’ll be fighting for the English title.

“If he wants a rematch then I’ll take it. I’m here to prove a point, I’ve done that.

“I’ve gone to his back garden and beat him and took something that belongs to him.

“All I wanted to do was win that belt and all I want to do now is carry on moving forward with my career.

“But I wish Matt all the best with whatever decision he makes. He’s a great fighter, he didn’t have the Southern Area belt for no reason and I’m sure he’ll come again.”

Few of the 1,600 crowd inside the Brentwood Centre would complain if the Essex duo squared off again, with Saturday’s clash drawing plenty of plaudits in what critics have labelled a contender for fight of the year.

“It was the biggest crowd I’ve boxed in front of,” Bird said. “Some people are saying it’s fight of the year and my promoter said it was the best fight he’s seen in person.

“I can’t thank everyone enough who turned out in their numbers. It was a great atmosphere.

“The team worked hard for this, we had four months of hard dedication and it showed in the fight.”