WHITEFIELD super-bantamweight Rhys Roberts underlined his star-credentials with an impressive victory over the bigger and heavier Steve Gethin at the Manchester Velodrome.

The manner of the 20-year-old’s skilful display of boxing has invited comparisons with the great Floyd Mayweather, a fighter who Roberts admits to idolising as a youngster.

But Roberts first had to overcome a damaged right hand in the second round before out-boxing Walsall’s Gethin to win every round for his eighth straight victory.

“Steve has been about a bit,” said Roberts. “He’s been around the likes of Amir Khan and is a decent fighter.

“I started getting in and out because he was the bigger man, but I had to change my game plan when I hurt my hand.

“I caught him with a beautiful shot - a right over, but I damaged my right hand pretty badly. The swelling came up straight away.

“But you’ve got to be professional when things like that happen, so I started using my left a lot more.

“Apart from that, I was okay. I know people are comparing me to Mayweather which is a big compliment.

“He’s been my idol since I was a little kid. I’ve been watching him for years. I don’t know whether it’s a conscious thing to copy him, but you do nick things from different fighters you admire. I don’t mind the comparision, though, because at the end of the day, he’s the best fighter in the world, so it’s fantastic.”

Roberts, who, along with his fellow Collyhurst and Moston Lads Club fighter Scott Quigg, is being promoted by Manchester legend Ricky Hatton, is now looking forward to his next fight, probably in November. “Ricky’s told me he’s going to try to get me as many fights as he can, which is great because I need the experience, said Roberts. “Obviously, my ultimate aim is to win a world title.

“It’s great to have Ricky on my side. For a guy like him who knows what it’s like to be in the ring promoting me is fantastic.

“He knows his stuff and he’s a fair guy. He’s not out just to rip you off. He’s down to earth, he’s been there himself, whereas a lot of these other promoters have no idea what it’s like to go into the ring.”