JACK CATTERALL UD (115-113 117-112 117-113) VS. JOE HUGHES
THE WBO INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 X 3 Minute Rounds
British boxing’s hottest talent Jack Catterall comprehensively outpointed Malmesbury’s Joe Hughes to retain his WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight title and earn himself a shot at the British title. Slick southpaw Catterall dominated for large spells of a gripping encounter against a rough and ready Hughes. Ultimately, undefeated Catterall’s class showed as he took a deserved unanimous decision with scores of 115-113, 117-112 and 117-113.
The classy Catterall proved what a skilled operator he is as he earned a shot at the British title. Backed by a vocal Bolton crowed Catterall made his reach advantage count in a gripping opening round. The Chorley man continued to land punishing left hands as the fight progressed but Malmesbury’s Hughes continued to soak up the punishment and come back for more.
On his return to action in Bolton Catterall began to outclass the determined Hughes in the latter rounds. 22 year-old Catterall summoned the energy to land several impressive combos in the closing rounds but Hughes took them well denied the champion a stoppage win. Chorley’s boxing star now moves on to a record of 13-0 8 KO’s.
LUKE BLACKLEDGE WTKO5 (0:57) VS. ISHMAEL TETTEH
THE COMMONWEALTH SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 X 3 Minute Rounds
Accrington action man Luke Blackledge successfully defended his Commonwealth Super-Middleweight title against Ghana’s Ishmael Tetteh at Bolton’s Macron Stadium. Blackledge, who fights out of Bolton trainer Karl Ince’s Elite Gym in Halliwell, dropped the African with a crippling body shot in the fifth. Tetteh failed to beat the referees count and Blackledge moved to 21-2-2 6 KO’s.
In a lively opener Blackledge attempted to pin his challenger down before catching him late with a big left hook. Tetteh came into the fight in the second round, letting his hands go with sharp uppercuts and body shots. In an even third round Blackledge and Tetteh both piled the pressure on one another. The determined Blackledge took hold of the fight in the fifth before sending Tetteh crashing to the canvas with a big body shot that retained his Commonwealth title.
KIRYL RELIKH WTKO4 (2:50) VS. JOAQUIM CARNIERO BATISTA
THE WBA INTERCONTINENTAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
10 X 3 Minute Rounds
In the first title fight of the night Belarus knockout king Kiryl Relikh emphatically defended his WBA Intercontinental Super-Middleweight title against brave Brazilian Joaquim Carniero Batista. Relikh took his red-hot record to 21-0 19 KO’s after Batista’s corner correctly retired their fighter to save him from taking any further damage.
Ricky Hatton’s super-lightweight man dominated from the opening bell, using his sharp head movement to evade trouble and countering with some beautiful left hooks that left Batista reeling. Batista continued to soak up punishment in rounds three and four before the white towel was thrown in.
JIMMY KELLY WPTS8 (80-72) VS. MICHAEL MORA
8 X 3 Minute Rounds International Super-Welterweight Contest
Manchester’s former WBO world title challenger Jimmy Kelly returned to the ring after six months out to beat Spain’s Michael Mora on points over eight rounds. The Mancunian super-welterweight puncher was made to work on his return to the ring by a rough and ready Mora. Kelly, who still holds the WBO Intercontinental title, dropped Mora twice in the final round but the brave Spaniard beat the referees count twice and clung on to lose 80-72 on points.
CIARAN MCVARNOCK WTKO1 (1:22) VS. RUSLANS BERDIMURADOVS
4 X 3 Minute Rounds International Lightweight Contest
Promising Belfast lightweight Ciaran McVarnock wasted no time as he took out Latvia’s Ruslans Berdimur in the opening round to take his record to 6-0-1 at Bolton’s Macron Stadium. In a short-lived yet electrifying contest McVarnock had his opponent down twice in the first round before the referee had seen enough.
JORDAN THOMPSON WTKO1 (1:15) VS. MATEUSZ GATEK
4 X 3 Minute Rounds International Cruiserweight Contest
Unbeaten Manchester cruiserweight prospect Jordan Thompson made short work of Poland’s Mateusz Gatek to take his record to 3-0 3 KO’s. A huge left hook from Thompson sent Gatek crashing to the floor before the referee waved off the fight; much to the delight of the Mancunian mountain who let out a roar of approval.
