Josh Warrington became a two-time featherweight world champion as he won the IBF title with a seventh round stoppage over Kiko Martinez in front of a raucous sell out crowd at The First District Arena in Leeds, England.
Warrington almost made it a real early night as he was all over Martinez and dropped him with a hard right hand. Warrington battered and bloodied the left eye of Martinez. Warrington dominated the rest of the fight with the exception of a couple hard rights that were landed by Martinez.
One of the rights may have set Warrington off as he stormed back and beat up Martinez on the ropes until the bout was stopped at 2:12 of round seven.
Warrington, who decisioned Martinez five years ago is now a two-time champion by thrilling his hometown fans and has a record of 31-1-1 with eight knockouts, Martinez of Spain is 43-11-2.
Bridges wins IBF Bantamweight Title from Roman
Ebanie Bridges won the IBF Bantamweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Maria Cecilia Roman.
Bridges out worked and outhustled Roman on the inside and landed some good punches to the body. Bridges was effective with her uppercut and took the lead from the outset.
Bridges landed 205 of 645 punches; Roman was 156 of 430.
Bridges, 117.3 lbs of New South Wales, AUS won by scores of 100-91 and 97-93 twice and is now 8-1. Roman, 116.4 lbs of San Juan, ARG was a five year-champion, who had made seven defenses is now 16-6-1.
“I am feeling proud of myself and everything that I sacrificed has been worth it. This belt means all of the sacrifice and training. I was so happy for that kind of fight. I hope the fight was entreating. Cecilia brough the fight. I am grateful to win the title in this great city of Leeds,” said Bridges,
Hughes decisions Walsh
Maxi Hughes won a 12-round unanimous decision over Ryan Walsh in a lightweight contest.
In round three, Walsh was cut over left uppercut that was ruled from a punch.
Hughes landed 163 of 610 punches; Walsh was 79 of 614.
Hughes, 133.5 lbs of Rossington, ENG won by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 and is now 25-5-2. Walsh, 134.4 lbs of Cromer, ENG is 23-4-2.
Smith Stops Moylette in 10
Dalton Smith remained undefeated with a 10th round stoppage over Roy Moylette in a junior welterweight bout.
In round two, Moylette started to swell under his left eye.
In round seven, Smith was deducted two points for a low blow.
In round 10, Smith landed a hard left that sent Moylette to the canvas. Seconds later, it was another left hook that sent Moylette down again and the fight was stopped at 49 seconds.
Smith, 139.25 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is now 10-0 with eight knockouts. Moylette, 139.2 lbs of Islandeady, ENG is 12-2.
Nicholson Decisions Connolly
2021 Australian Olympian Skye Nicholson remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Bec Connolly in a featherweight bout.
In round five, Connolly began to bleed from her nose.
Connolly, 127.2 lbs of Queensland, AUS won by a 60-54 score and is now 2-0. Connolly, 127 lbs of Swindon, ENG is 3-12.
Cory O’Regan won a six-round decision over Jakub Laskowski in a lightweight bout.
O’Regan, 137.4 lbs of Heckmondwike, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is now 6-0. Laskowski, 137.3 lbs of Siemianowice, POL is 4-14-1,
Mali Wright won a four-round decision over Luis Palmer in a light heavyweight bout.
Wright, 186.25 lbs of Leeds, UK won by a 39-38 scores and is now 2-0-1. Palmer, 186 lbs of Huddersfield, ENG is 0-1-1.
Callum French stopped Angelo Turco in round three of their six-round super lightweight bout.
French dominated the action and hurt Turco several ties before the fight was stopped just as the towel came in at 1:11,
French, 137.5 lbs of Gateshead, ENG is 2-0 with one knockout. Turco, 140.1 lbs of Quaragnon, BEL is 8-24-2.
