In a finish that left the crowd at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena with mixed emotions while confirming the danger posed by Britain’s new wave of talent, Jack “The Machine” Rafferty claimed the WBA Continental Gold welterweight title after veteran Ekow Essuman elected not to come out for the sixth round.

The fight opened with the expected intensity. Rafferty, fueled by his undefeated record and edge in punching power, took control from the opening bell, pressing forward against an Essuman who attempted to rely on his experience and counterpunching ability. However, “The Machine’s” pressure proved relentless. During the fourth and fifth rounds, Rafferty landed punishing left hooks that appeared to sap the former British champion’s physical resistance.

Following a particularly dominant fifth round from Rafferty, in which Essuman absorbed heavy punishment along the ropes, “The Engine’s” corner consulted with their fighter before the start of the sixth. Facing the clear physical superiority of the younger contender, the decision was made to wave the fight off, officially ruling it a retirement on the stool.

With the victory, Jack Rafferty extends his unbeaten record and secures a key regional belt under the World Boxing Association banner, firmly placing himself in the conversation among Europe’s top names at 147 pounds. Meanwhile, Essuman suffers a setback that raises questions about his immediate future at the elite level after being outgunned by the freshness and firepower of a Rafferty who appears ready for bigger challenges in the second half of 2026.

Rafferty’s triumph in Manchester not only earns him the Continental Gold strap, but also guarantees him a significant rise in the rankings, cementing his status as the latest major threat in the British welterweight division.