British champion Ryan Walsh appeared fresher from the start, seeing openings and outboxing Reece Bellotti in the early exchanges.
Bellotti struggled to get a jab established and patiently waited for an opportunity. He improved in the middle rounds by landing right crosses and left hooks flush on Walsh’s chin.
Increasing his work rate, he managed to back up Walsh on the ropes.
Bellotti’s work rate was almost his detriment in the 8th and 9th when Walsh found an answer in his right hook which wobbled the challenger.
Walsh had another excellent round in the 9th where his continuous left and right hooks pummelled Bellotti into the corners of the ring. Walsh himself was imploring the ref to stop the fight.
Back and forth action concluded the fight as Bellotti came back into the fight strongly. Both men had success with their hooks in their final three minutes.
In the end, Walsh remained British champion by split decision with scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 116-113 for Bellotti.
David Price vs. Tom Little (???? Dave Thompson)
Both big men landed their signature right hands gaining a round each in the early goings of a close fight.
Soon becoming a slugfest, the contest then favoured the bigger-punching David Price.
In the fourth, Price put Little on unsteady legs, and as he continued to throw unanswered punches, the referee called an end to the contest with the crowd largely displeased.
Price is back in the win column if the stoppage was harsh on Tom Little.
Linus Udofia vs. Pavol Garaj
Linus Udofia and Pavol Garaj had a quiet crowd to attempt to impress at The O2. Udofia, working behind his jab, threw classy uppercuts followed by hooks to the head and body. These tactics saw him pressure Garaj and gain an advantage.
Garaj secured the centre of the ring for most of the fight to stand firm. At times, he fired back as the opportunity arose.
Udofia wore his man down over the rounds and looked ready to stop him going into the final session of six.
Closing the fight in style, each man gave it their best. The couldn’t stop leaving it in the hands of the referee’s scorecard.
In the end, Udofia won 60-54 and improved his record to 12-0 (6 KOs).
