Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn and TJB Promotions – Tom Brown at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, Mersyside, UK, Saturday, WBA Super World Super Middleweight Champion Callum “Mundo” Smith defended his title for the second time and his WBC Diamond Title for the fourth time defeating No. 1 ranked John “The Gorilla” Ryder.

In the Main Event WBA Super World Super Middleweight champion Callum “Mundo” Smith, 27-0 (19), #167 1/2, of Liverpool, Merseyside, UK, defeated southpaw John “The Gorilla” Ryder, 28-5 (16), 167 1/2, of London, UK, over 12 rounds to retain his belt.

In the first three rounds it was give and take with Ryder taking two of them. In rounds four through six Smith came back to take two of the three rounds. Being the taller of the two is an advantage but Ryder forces the action pushing Smith to the ropes.

In the seventh round it was close but Smith forced ahead with the edge. In the eighth round both had their moments but halfway through the round Smith was cut from a clash of heads under the right eyebrow. Ryder continued to force the action evening the fight.

In the ninth round Smith had his nose bloodied by Ryder who bulled him to the ropes once too often. Smith complained and referee Michael Alexander of the UK warned Ryder. In the tenth round Ryder continued forcing the action but got hit with some occasional uppercuts from Smith who at 6:03 held a six inch advantage over Ryder. In the last two rounds Ryder tried pulling out the fight especially with a real good final round.

Scores were UK’s Terry O’Connor 117-111, while both Spain’s Francisco Alloza Rose and Puerto Rico’s Jose Roberto Torres scored it 116-112. This writer had it 115-113.

In the co-feature James “The Assassin” Tennyson, 27-3 (23), #134 ¾, of Belfast, North Ireland, UK, stopped southpaw Craig Evans, 20-4-2 (3), #134, of Blackwood, Wales, UK, in the eleventh of a twelve rounder.

Cruiserweight Craig Glover, 10-3 (8), #198 ¼, of Liverpool, Merseyside, UK, was stopped by Chris “The Gentleman” Billam-Smith, 10-1 (9), #198 ¾, of Bournemouth, Dorset, UK, at 1:45 of the fifth for the vacant Commonwealth (British Empire), Cruiserweight Title, scheduled for 12 rounds.