RAFAL BENKA won the praise of trainer Henry Wharton after securing his second successive win as a professional boxer.

Benka ran out as a 40-36 points winner over Lithuania-born Genadij Krajevskij at Colne’s Municipal Hall, winning all four of the scheduled rounds on the referee’s scoreboard.

The victory ensured that the York fighter remained unbeaten through his first two bouts in the paid ranks, having been successful on his debut against MJ Hall back in June.

Benka is one of several pro fighters trained by York boxing legend Wharton, who thrice fought for world titles during his own career, at Henry’s Gym in Acomb.

And the Poland-born prospect felt he showed improvements from his first contest which drew praise from Wharton.

“Henry was really pleased with me,” Benka told Fight Zone TV.

“Although I wasn’t as exciting as in the first fight, I was thinking about what I was doing rather than throwing 100 punches a minute.

“I tried to land every punch at the target.”

It was clear from the outset that Benka would have work cut out against an opponent far bigger than himself as Krajevskij weighed in more than 20lbs heavier than Benka.

Benka added: “I knew that he was going to be bigger than me, so Henry told me to take it easy and work my way in, jab him and, if I can, go inside and throw a few hooks and then step back because he could counter punch.

“He told me to be aware of that.”

Despite the marked difference in size between the pair, Benka got off to a bright start in the Frank Duffin Promotions show opener after a 10-bell salute took place to remember those who have died amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Benka found himself on the front foot immediately and worked away nicely behind his jab upstairs and occasionally pinning Krajevskij, who had little response, with crisp body shots.

An overhand right from Benka at the end of a combination was the pick of his work through the first round.

As the fight went into the second round, the 26-year-old continued to show the skills developed during a successful amateur career while representing Henry’s Gym.

His slick defence, neat movement and accurate jabs all continued to be evident.

Krajevskij was though showing plenty of his own experience and covered up well against Benka, limiting the York boxer to single shots.

Again Benka’s best work of the round came when he trapped Krajevskij in a corner before unloading with shots mainly to the body.

As the fight went into its third round, Benka remained intent on digging blows to Krajevskij’s midsection whenever the Eastern European attempted to retreat to a corner.

But the Wharton fighter did find it tough to seriously hurt Krajevskij, understandably so given the vast disparity in weight between the pair.

In the fourth and final round, Benka denied any late rally from Krajevskij as he still dominated the action and plugged away with scoring shots, including some whipping body shots, until the final bell.

Following his victory, Benka explained how he plans to move forward in his burgeoning career.

He said: “The plan is get to back into training and wait for another date. I want progression from fight to fight, keep going up that ladder and then get a title fight.”