BARNSLEY boxer Jake Jon Cleary said ‘they all think they’re better than me until they get in the ring with me’ after he defeated Leeds fighter Ellis Ward on points.

Wombwell lad Cleary defeated the home favourite 58-57 on points at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

After the fight, Cleary told the Chronicle: “Actions speak louder than words. There’s that good old saying in Barnsley that’s on our coat of arms – Spectemur Agendo, let us be judged by our actions.

“And that’s what I went in and did.

“I’m over the moon.

“Respect to my team, respect to my management and respect to Ellis and his team – we put on one hell of a show.

“That’s just the cherry on the top of all the hard work I’ve put in.”

It was a close points win for Cleary, but he says he felt he deserved the victory. He added: “I felt confident at the end because I just don’t think he did as much as me.

“I just think I boxed as well on the back foot as I did on front foot.

“And it seemed that my workrate and my shots were affecting him more than his were doing to me.”

Despite being from Leeds and fighting in West Yorkshire, Ward’s fans were certainly drowned out by the thousands of vocal Barnsley supporters who made the short journey.

Cleary says they really helped him throughout the fight.

“They were the 12th man so it gives you that extra buzz.

“When you’re younger and you’re going to watch Barnsley you think it’d be mint to perform in front of Barnsley fans.

“I’ve done it.

“I’ve achieved a dream right there.”

But what’s next for Jake?

“I’ll enjoy Christmas but I’m still at work – I work for Royal Mail so I’m still grafting.

“But I’ll be training again Monday.

“For me it’s just that perseverance.

“Through the good times, through bad times – you’ve just got to keep humble and keep grounded.

“I’ve had five fights.

“I want to be as active as possible and dedicated my life to this.

“They all think they’re better than me until they get in the ring with me.

“Nobody works harder than me – simple as that.”