UNDERCARD RESULTS FROM WEMBLEY STADIUM, UK:
Luke Campbell set up a shot at the WBC Lightweight Title after avenging his defeat to Yvan Mendy with a comfortable unanimous decision.
Campbell’s first fight under the renowned trainer, Shane McGuigan, and the new partnership clearly worked, as Campbell used his superior footwork to keep his distance from the relentless Mendy.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist secured a unanimous decision victory with 119-109, 118-111, and 116-12. The victory secures Campbell a shot at the WBC lightweight title, currently held by pound-for-pound star Mikey Garcia.
Both men started fairly tentatively. But it was clear from the off Campbell had learned his last fight. He showed excellent footwork as he escaped Mendy’s constant pressure.
Mendy did have success in spells, mostly with looping right hands, but Campbell’s counter-punching and footwork throughout the bout saw him edge most of the rounds.
It marks the end of a chapter for Campbell, and now the 30-year-old will have another opportunity at a world title.
WRESTLING
‘The Sauce’ Lawrence Okolie defeated Matty Askin to win the British cruiserweight championship, despite having three points deducted for holding in a scrappy, dull contest.
The final bell was met with a chorus of boos from the onlooking crowd, showing their displeasure at a poor contest.
The referees scored the bout 116-110 114-112 114-113 in Okolie’s favor, crowning him the new British champion.
Okolie did start the opening session strongly, landing some good blows to Askin’s midriff.
That was as good and entertaining as the contest got, as the rest of the rounds followed a similar pattern.
Every time either fighter threw a punch. They diffused each other resulting in about littered with clinching.
Okolie appeared to instigate most of the contest’s holding, which saw him deducted points in the 5th, 8th, and 11th round.
Despite that, he secured the Lord Lonsdale strap in just his 10th fight.
RETIRED
Sergey Kuzmin picked up his 13th professional victory as David Price retired on his stool at the end of round four of their heavyweight contest with an arm injury.
Price started the contest strongly, pushing the unbeaten Russian back with his long jab and unleashing strong-looking combinations.
But Kuzmin responded with a strong second round as he attacked the Liverpudlian’s body to great effect.
Price appeared to wobble Kuzmin in the third round as both men looked to exchange heavy blows. Although Kuzmin did finish the third on top, pushing Price back to the ropes and firing through his guard.
In the fourth round, Price seemed to tire as Kuzmin unloaded more powerful body shots. Whilst the 35-year-old still attempted to throw heavy shots of his own, with mixed success.
Price opted not to come out for round five of the contest, citing a torn bicep for his withdrawal.
Kuzmin extended his record to 13-0 12KOs. At the same time, Price’s second stoppage loss in as many fights marks the sixth such loss of his 28-fight career.
In the opener, Shakram Giyasov overcame a slow first round to wear Julio Laguna down gradually.
After softening up Laguna in the second and third, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist came out with bad intentions in the fourth round.
A flurry of flush punches had Laguna in trouble before Giyasov dropped the Nicaraguan, and the fight was halted quickly.
Giyasov is now 5-0, whilst Laguna lost for the first time in fifteen contests.
