Fight night at the Olympia produced a tremendous contest for the British lightweight title.
Manchester triumphed over Liverpool as Anthony Crolla boxed brilliantly to defeat a valiant John Watson in front of his home supporters.
After the two men fought toe-to-toe, exchanging rapid combinations, it was the Joe Gallagher trained Crolla who ultimately showed the class.
The 24-year-old picks up the Lonsdale belt in his first fight at 130lbs, and only took up the bout two weeks ago after Gavin Rees was forced to withdraw after nose surgery and vacate his title.
He said: “I’m so, so happy. I’ve always wanted a Lonsdale belt ever since I got into boxing.”
‘Million Dollar’ Crolla took the first couple of rounds with relentless pressure and besieged a shell-shocked Watson.
The Huyton man managed to battle his way back into the fight with a few stiff shots, although Crolla was shading the rounds and therefore ahead on the scorecards.
The Mancunian landed a massive right hook in the 9th which sent his man down, and the referee ended the fight without a count.
ken miller, derby around 1 year, 3 months ago