Israeli prospect Danny “Kid” Ahrens impressed a predominantly Jewish crowd with an accomplished second professional win in central London on Monday.

In a four-rounder at the Habad children’s charity dinner, the 19-year-old light-middleweight had durable journeyman Rick Boulter in trouble at the end of the first with some impressive combinations. He continued the attack at the start of the second as the crowd got behind him, his speed of punches catching the eye.

Finishing strongly against a tired opponent, he took every round on the referee’s scorecard in a performance delighting manager Robert Waterman and trainer Spencer Oliver, the former European super bantamweight champion.
Ahrens (real name Aharanov) said afterwards that he had been more relaxed than on his pro debut. "I was training hard and feel very fit. I thought I would get a stoppage but a win is a win. He was not an easy opponent."

The boxer received congratulations from his parents, who watched the fight online in Israel. He will return to Israel for a few weeks but would be back at his Hendon base to prepare for his next bout, probably in February.
Describing Ahrens as "a work in progress", Oliver said he had boxed “a lot better" against Boulter. "He's improving all the time. He doesn't work behind his jab enough and drops his hands a bit. But he realises that and he'll learn. He’s intelligent and picks things up fast.

"Having seen the improvement in 12 weeks, I’ll be excited to see how he is in six months. As long as we keep him busy, he’ll be in title contention in the next year."

Among the audience was boxing legend John Conteh, who said that Ahrens’ impressive amateur record was a “great grounding. He seems a mature lad for his age and has talent."

Oliver and Waterman are looking for the next fight to be a six rounder and Ahrens has no problems with that. "I am learning quickly and enjoy the training, even if it is hard. I am dedicated to what I do. There are differences from amateur boxing. More things are allowed in the ring and there is not the protective headgear. And if tonight’s fight had been in the amateurs, the ref would have stopped it in the first round."