SEAN McGoldrick completed a hat-trick of wins for Gwent fighters at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff on Saturday night, as all three boxers maintained unbeaten professional records on the JD NXTGEN show.

McGoldrick, who has been training with former world champion Gavin Rees after leaving long-time coach Tony Borg, produced arguably the best performance of his career to date in the paid code against game Irishman Dylan McDonagh.

McDonagh took the super-bantamweight contest at short notice but pushed McGoldrick hard, taking a couple of rounds off the Welshman in a 78-76 points loss.

For Newport's McGoldrick, backed by a small army of supporters totalling around 300, it was a first eight-rounder, and a maiden encounter on home soil in the pro ranks, and he appeared to have no problems adjusting to the longer battle.

"I've still got plenty of improvements to be made but I think I boxed a bit better than I have in the past because Dylan came to win so I had to do things I haven't normally done," he said following his seventh straight success.

"I'm definitely learning, it was my first eight-rounder, and I feel like I'm learning all the time.

"Today was a big step up for me and as I carry on progressing and stepping up it's going to get harder again.

"I think I'm getting better and better and I'll take a lot from that tonight, and you'll see more of a pro style from me in my upcoming fights."

He added: "I'm a genuine bantamweight and that's where I'll be looking for titles."

McDonagh said: "If I had a full camp behind me I know I would have stepped on the gas.

"There were times when I couldn't step it up because I hadn't had the notice.

"I think Sean can be very good, he was very slick there, and strong, and he brought the best out of me as well."

Meanwhile, Pontllanfraith super-middleweight Kody Davies extended his perfect professional record to 6-0 with a points defeat of Anthony Fox.

Referee Martin Williams scored the contest 60-56 in the Welshman's favour as Fox did enough to share two of the six rounds.

But Davies was too good on the night, delivering a display that was missing the showboating antics of his previous outing which he was criticised for.

Newport middleweight Dan Barton had kicked things off with an impressive points victory over Portugal's Yailton Neves.

St Joseph's ace Barton went into the four-rounder with two wins and a draw to his name, and a second-round knockdown of his rival set him on the way to a third triumph.

He received a 40-36 verdict, much to the delight of his 200-strong band of fans at the Cardiff Bay venue.