At the Northbridge Leisure Centre in Halifax, England, Sports Network's British Welterweight Champion David Barnes defied the bookmakers last night and won his Lonsdale belt outright with a classy display and sixth round stoppage of domestic rival James Hare.
In a tense and partisan arena, Barnes stepped upto the plate and took the initaitive from the opening bell but the cagey Hare was giving nothing away and the blueprint looked set for the fight to go the distance.
Then, in the second, local favourite Hare looked to be in trouble having suffered damage to his left eye which was already threatening to close.
Indeed, this may have contributed to his first knockdown as he was tagged in the fourth by a sweet right-left combination which sent him sprawling to the canvas. Looking bewildered, he took the full count before getting back to his feet and toughing out the remainder of the round.
Barnes sensed blood and continued to dominate in the fifth before sending Hare to the canvas again early in the sixth and securing an impressive stoopage in what must be his most satisfying victory of his 16 fight career.
Barnes may now vacate his title, having won it outright, and has a number of options open to him, including campaigning at 140lbs.
On the rest of the undercard, 'Storm Boy' Thomas McDonagh chalked up another victory by outpointing Darren Rhodes 97-94, taking the Manchester fighter to 25-0-2. Backed by a veritable army of travelling fans, McDonagh moved, skipped and generally out slicked Rhodes but was never really able to put him on the back foot. He now gets a shot at the winner of the Jamie Moore - Michael Jones rematch for the British Title in Altrincham later this month.
Hot prosect Martin Concepcion went to 7-0 (7KOs) after blasting through Andy Butlin, knocking him down three times in the first round before referee Mickey Vann had seen enough and stopped the fight.
Despite Thursdays shenanigans over Rob Burton's inability to make the 147lb limit, Matthew Hatton outworked the dogged Yorkshireman to secure a convincing points victory 97-93 and now adds the Central Area Light Middleweight title to his collection.
At times he aped older brother Ricky with classic bodyshot and uppercut combinations but was unable to stop a tenacious Burton who simply couldn't compete with Hattons workrate.
Despite winning the light middle weight title it's expected that Hatton will continue at 147lbs and must have his sights set now on mixing with the domestic elite.
