The final bell went and the announcer read out that there was a majority decision.....then reads a score of 115-113 to Butler....errrrmmmm.....huh?? Split decision I take it??
Anyway, the judges where split in their decision, 115-113 to Butler, 115-113 to Hall and inexcusably 117-111 to Butler. Personally I had it 115-113 for Butler also but cannot see how such a wide score could be given here. A close, great fight. But the new British Bantamweight, sorry IBF world title now belongs to Paul Butler and he must now lock horns with the dangerous Randy Cabellero next.
On the undercard their were a few notable fights. Bradley Saunders (10-0, 8 KOs) took on Ville Piispanen (18-5-3, 6 KOs) for the WBO Inter-Continental Light Welterweight title and once again showed why he is slowly getting the attention that his talent deserves. The unbeaten Saunders took the bull by the horns from the off and completely dominated Piispanen with the right hand alone. It seemed like Piispanen was in for a long night but that wasn't the case as
Commonwealth Cruiserweight titles and could maybe be in line for a European or world title shot due to the lack of depth currently within the division.
Saunders threw a magnificent left hook to the body that left Piispanen on the floor unable to beat the ten count. So another win for the popular Saunders and with his first taste of the title life, his name moves nicely up the rankings also.
The “Upsetter” Ovill McKenzie (23-12, 12 KOs) once again lived up to his nickname after his destruction of Tony Conquest back in April by taking on British Champion Jon Lewis Dickinson.
McKenzie began on the back foot, drawing Dickinson in plodding forward with the guard up. McKenzie then began throwing combinations to both body and head when Dickinson got close enough.
The second round was more of the same with McKenzie boxing very intelligently. Then the nickname arrived. A counter left hook to the temple followed by a right hand which sent Dickinson to the canvas, banging his head off the floor in the process. Dickinson climbed to his feet and back to his corner with a tiny stumble giving the referee the decision to wave it off. Dickinson didn't look as if his senses had abandoned him and should have maybe been given another go to see if he could get his legs back. But either way, McKenzie now holds the British and
Other results:
Chris Eubank Jr (16-0, 11 KOs) vs Stephen Horvath (12-4, 4 KOs): Eubank Jr – Win TKO6
Thomas Ward (8-0, 1 KO) vs Michael Ramabeletsa (12-13, 5 KOs): Ward – Win PTS6
Joshua Leather (5-0, 1 KO) vs Tommy Carus (6-2, 0 KOs): Leather – Win PTS6
David Allen (6-0-1, 4 KOs) vs Larry Olubamiwo (10-7, 9 KOs): Allen – Win RTD2
Jason Cunningham (12-0, 4 KOs) vs David Kvaratskhelia (3-11, 0 KOs): Cunningham RTD4
Jordan King (3-0, 1 KO) vs Vaidas Balciauskas (3-3, 2 KOs): King – Win TKO2
Rhys Evans (3-0, 0 KOs) vs Rob Sharpe (3-5, 1 KO):
“You’re going to be a world champion, you believe this and remember Juan Laporte told you this.”
(Former Featherweigh't words to Butler back in 2000)