In a superb heavyweight attraction at the top of the bill at the O2 Arena in London, Derek Chisora breathed new life into his career, taking a points win over ten rounds against Joe Joyce.
Joyce had seen his serene professional progress alarmingly checked in back-to-back defeats inside schedule to Zhilei Zhang, and although he returned with a tenth round win against Kash Ali, question marks remained. Chisora had been in with a whole host of heavyweight big names, but was firmly in the twilight of a long career, although he was coming off a win over Gerald Washington last time out.
Chisora (35-13, 23 KOs) started on the attack, winging punches in, and Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) was cumbersome, although he did connect with some solid shots in the opening few rounds.
It was rough and tough action, with both unloading big shots, and sapping energy in what was turning into a war of attrition.
Chisora gave it everything as usual, forcing the ‘Juggernaut’ to work every second of every round, and that was allowing him to win rounds with his work rate.
The 40-year-old was showing signs of slowing down in the later rounds, but still battled on, although Joyce was now getting the last word in exchanges and was cranking up the pressure.
All that changed again in the ninth, as Chisora timed a superb counter-right hand that decked the 38-year-old, but the Putney man survived the count and went back on the attack.
All outcomes looked possible ahead of the last round, and both swung for the fences, with the end of the bout met with a standing ovation.
Two scores of 96-94, and a third at 97-92 secured Chisora the win in the end.
Garner overcomes Sharp
Ryan Garner retained his WBC International super featherweight title, as he took a clear win on the cards against Archie Sharp (25-1, 9 KOs).
Garner (16-0, 8 KOs) had the better of the exchanges in the main, and was a worthy winner in the end by two scores of 97-93, and a third at 98-92.
Itauma halts Wach
Moses Itauma took a step-up in class, and defended his WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title for the first time with an impressive second round stoppage of former world title challenger, Mariusz Wach.
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Itauma (10-0, 8 KOs) floored Wach (38-11, 20 KOs) with a big right hand in the second, and on the resumption, with the Pole trapped in the corner under heavy fire, the fight was called off.
Wach had taken Frazer Clarke the full ten rounds in 2023.
McCann beats Baluta in rematch
Dennis McCann took the vacant European super bantamweight title, dominating Ionut Baluta via wide unanimous decision in a rematch between the two.
The pair fought to a technical draw in a tight contest last August, but ‘The Menace’ was an emphatic winner this time around.
McCann (16-0-1, 8 KOs) was a step ahead during the contest, and hurt Baluta (16-5-1, 3 KOs) with a body shot in the seventh.
The 23-year-old stayed on top for the remainder of the fight, and ran out the winner and new champion by two tallies of 117-111, and a third at 120-108.
Barney-Smith bags title
Royston Barney-Smith (11-0, 5 KOs) won his first title as a professional, the WBO Youth super featherweight crown, by outscoring Brian Barajas (7-1-1, 3 KOs) over eight rounds.
Two scores of 78-74, and a tally of 79-73 gave the 20-year-old the victory.
79-73
78-74
78-74SUGA BOY ROY 🍬👊
Royston Barney-Smith does enough to score the decision win over Brian Barajas!#JoyceChisora | LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/jENzpmbHOz
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) July 27, 2024
Noakes secures English title
Sean Noakes stepped up to ten round level for the first time, and claimed the vacant English welterweight title with a competitive points win against Inder Bassi (12-2, 1 KO).
Two scores of 96-94, and a third at 97-94 saw Noakes (8-0, 4 KOs) claim his first professional belt.
Remaining Undercard
Raven Chapman (9-0, 2 KOs) made her first appearance of 2024, and ‘The Omen’ was in dominant mood, defending her WBC International featherweight title by winning all ten rounds against Yohana Sarabia (10-1, 6 KOs).
Brandun Lee (29-0, 2 KOs3) made his Queensberry debut, and the American super lightweight took a 78-74 decision win over eight rounds against Juan Ancona (11-1, 6 KOs).
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Aadam Hamed (2-0, 1 KOs), son of Prince Naseem Hamed, extended his unbeaten start to professional life, as the super lightweight took all four rounds against Georgi Velichkov (4-22-1, 3 KOs).
Umar Khan (10-0, 1 KO) took another points win, this time against Kaddour Hmiani (4-3-2, 2 KOs), scoring a knockdown before taking a 77-73 win on the referee’s card in their featherweight affair.
Derek Chisora’s nephew, Jermaine Dhilwayo (1-0) started with a points win against Engel Gomez (8-33-3, 4 KOs).
