At the Manchester Arena, Lancashire, UK, Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn brought in a WBO Super Lightweight championship match with champion Christina “Medusa” Linardatou, of Greece defending against WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA Lightweight champion Katie Taylor, of IRE.
In the Main Event WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA Lightweight champion and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Taylor, 15-0 (6), #139 1/2, of Bray, IRE, moved up to Super Lightweight defeating WBO World Female Super Lightweight champion Christina “Medusa” Linardatou, 12-2 (6), #138 1/2, of DR and Athens, Greece, over 10 rounds.
In the first round Linardtou came out aggressively landing the first punch a left hook to the chin of Taylor. Taylor countered well with an effective jab. Taylor ended the round with a double right to the chin of Linardatou. In the second round Linardatou landed a right to the chin of Taylor halfway through the first minute of the round. Taylor landed a left hook to the chin after a missed wild right by Linardatou. Taylor moved around the ring quite well against the oncoming Linardatou.
In the third round in a clinch Linardatou landed three chopping rights to the head of Taylor. Taylor made Linardtou miss quite often. Then Taylor landed a lead right to the chin. Linardatou landed an overhand right to the chin of Taylor just before the end of the round. In the fourth round Linardatou had problems cutting off the ring catching right hand after right hand from Taylor on the chin. Taylor had Linardtou on the defense the entire round countering her with right’s on the chin.
In the fifth round at the halfway mark Taylor rocked Linardatou with a right on the chin. A minute into the round Taylor landed a 3-punch combination to the chin of Linardatou. Taylor in the final thirty seconds had Linardatou missing time and again. Taylor landed the final punch a left hook on the chin.
In the sixth round after thirty seconds Taylor landed a left hook to the chin of Linardatou. In a good exchange both boxers landed punches to the chin at the halfway point of the round. Linardatou continued missing with the right hand. Taylor has controlled the action. Taylor’s right eyelid was swelling at the end of the round. In the eighth round Taylor knocked out the mouthpiece of Linardatou at the halfway point.
In the ninth round Linardatou was frustrated trying to land a big punch on Taylor who made her miss time and again. Taylor countered with rights throughout the round. In the tenth and final round Linardatou missed time and again until a right from Taylor knocked the mouthpiece out again. Linardatou was wildly missing with Taylor countering her time and again. Michael Alexander was the Referee.
Scores were 96-94, 97-93 and 98-92 by this writer. ‘This is the best (and got very emotional due to the cheering from the crowd). I’m making history again. I’m so grateful, so grateful,” said Taylor. Promoter Eddie Hearns added “I am so proud of her.
Lightweight Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla, 35-7-3 (13), #136 3/4, of Manchester, UK, won a majority decision over Frank “La Ley” Urquiaga, 13-2-1 (1), #134, of Peru and Barcelona, SP, for the vacant WBA Continental Lightweight Title.
In the first round with Crolla countering with his jab. Urquiaga backed up Crolla for the first half of the round. Crolla outlanded Urquiaga for the most part with little exchanges in the round. In the second round Urquiaga landed four unanswered punches to the head of Crolla. Crolla then backed up Urquiaga mostly with jabs. Urquiaga ended the round with a combination to the chin of Crolla.
In the third round Crolla kept coming forward while Urquiaga landed some good combinations. In the final twenty seconds Urquiaga landed solid body shots until one went low giving Crolla a short break. In the fourth round Crolla landed several right uppercuts to the body while Urquiaga came right back with rights to the chin. In the final thirty seconds Urquiaga danced around the ring landing nothing.
In the fifth round though looking tired Urquiaga fought Crolla on an even basis. Crolla kept coming forward landing but getting countered. In the sixth round Crolla countered well as Urquiaga kept coming forward. Crolla seemed to come back outlanding Urquiaga.
In the seventh round Crolla worked the body of Urquiaga well countering. Crolla used his jab and right uppercuts to the body of Urquiaga. In the final twenty seconds Urquiaga landed a solid right to the chin of Crolla just prior to the end of the round.
In the eighth round Crolla kept coming forward with Urquiaga moving around the ring. In the final minute Urquiaga started coming forward but Crolla outlanded him in the round.
In the ninth round near the end of the first minute Crolla landed a solid right to the chin of Urquiaga. Urquiaga was warned about a low blow. Crolla came off the ropes landing a combination at the bell. In the tenth and final round both got their punches in. This was Crolla’s last fight before retirement.
Scores were 95-95, 97-93 twice and this writer 96-94.
Commonwealth Middleweight champion Felix Cash, 12-0 (8), #159 1/4, of Berkshire, UK, stopped Jack “Little Lever’s Mead Cleaver” Cullen, 17-2 (8), #159 1/4, of Little Lever, Lancshire, UK, at 1:14 of the eighth round in a scheduled 12.
In the first round Cash dropped Linardatou after a minute in the round. Cash delivered right to the head one after another. He beat the count of the Referee Howard Foster. Linardatou came fighting back best he could. Cash left him off the hook.
In the second round Cash was working the body while Linardatou countered with rights to the chin. It was a slugfest throughout the round. In the third round Linardatou landed a solid left hook to the mid-section of Cash halfway through the round and continued using his reach unloading on Cash.
In the fourth round Cash got back the lead in the first half of the fight but Cullen came right back from the middle of the round. It was a close round up for grabs. In the fifth round it went back and forth who took the lead. In the final minute of the round Cullen hurt Cash with a left hook to the body. Cash came back landing a solid right cross to the chin of Cullen in the final seconds of the round. Cullen has damage around both eyes at the end of the round.
In the sixth round Cash was warned for a second time using his head. Seconds later Cullen was warned to keep his punches up. In the seventh round Cullen worked on landing left hooks to the body of Cash. In the final minute of the round Cash landed a hard right near the back or on the back of the head as Cullen was bent over and down went Cullen. Cullen barely got through the round.
In the eighth round Cash drove Culen against the ropes with punch after punch chopping rights having him out on his feet until the Referee Howard Foster wisely called a halt. The winner Cash looked the worst for ware with red marks all over his face. Through seven rounds this writer had Cash ahead 67-64.
IBO World Female Super Featherweight champion Terri Harper, 9-0 (5), #129 1/2, of Yorkshire, UK, defeated Viviane Obenauf, 14-5 (7), #128 3/4, of BRZ and Birsfelden, SWZ, over 10 rounds.
In the first round Harper outlanded Obenauf. In the second round Harper landed a jab knocking Obenauf back several steps. Harper landed several combinations having Obenauf on the defense with her hands held high. In the third round a Harper left hook to the body had Obenauf hurt. Harper continued to outwork Obenauf.
In the fourth round over a Obenauf jab Harper landed a pair of rights to the chin. In the final twenty seconds Harper landed a right over a jab from Obenauf to the chin. In the sixth round while backing up Obenauf finally put together some offense. Harper came back landing some right’s on the chin of Obenauf driving her to the ropes.
In the seventh round both fighters clashed heads. Harper took control again. At the end of the round Obenauf landed several punches to the chin of Harper. In the eighth round Harper was in control though Obenauf landed several rights to the chin of Harper.
In the ninth round Harper continued to dish out punishmenton Obendauf. In the tenth and final round Obenauf was missing wildly. Harper finished well while Obendauf seemed content in going the distance.
Scores were 99-91, 99-92 and 97-93 with this writer 100-90.