In front of a welcome crowd at the Skydome in Coventry, Sam Eggington took the vacant WBC Silver Middleweight title with a unanimous points win over the vastly experienced Carlos Molina on the Hennessy Sports bill on Saturday.
A stiff right hand got Molina’s attention in the opening round, in what was a strong start for Eggington (30-7, 18 KOs), and a left hand on the bell ended a good first frame for the Midlander.
The Mexican caught Eggington with some flush shots in the second, but the 27-year-old regained control in the third, shaking his opponent up with some big shots that backed the former world champion up in a superb session for him.
A quiet fourth was followed by a controlled fifth and sixth for Eggington, as he worked well off his jab, but remained cautious as Molina set traps and got onto the front foot.
‘The Savage was largely in control, but Molina (37-12-2, 12 KOs) enjoyed a strong ninth to go into the championship rounds with a squeak of victory.
Going into the final round, the visitor knew he needed something spectacular, and, try as he might, he found Eggington just too difficult a nut to crack as the fight went to the cards.
Scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 119-109 ensured Eggington notched a 30th win as a professional.
Pitters back to winning ways
Former British Light Heavyweight champion Shakan Pitters returned from losing his Lonsdale Belt to Craig Richards, as he knocked out Jermaine Springer in the fifth round of their scheduled eight rounder.
A stiff right hand from Pitters (15-1, 5 KOs) had Springer (7-3, 1 KO) going, and a follow-up attack had Springer laying on the ropes, where the referee stepped in.
Wilson Bent retains Midlands Area crown
River Wilson Bent is a name to keep an eye on, and the Coventry Middleweight made a successful first defence of his Midlands Area title with a seventh round stoppage of the previously unbeaten George Farrell.
Wilson Bent (9-0, 5 KOs) unleashed an unanswered volley of punches in the corner in the seventh that Farrell (5-1, 1 KO) simply couldn’t get out of the way of and the referee stepped in to call a halt to the contest.
Benjamin halts Harkin
At Welterweight, Kaisee Benjamin took the spoils in his scheduled ten rounder with Martin Harkin, as a body shot at the end of the seventh round decided matters.
Benjamin (12-1-1, 3 KOs) landed a shot to the mid-section of the Scot right on the bell, and Harkin (13-2, 5 KOs) failed to come out for the eighth session.
McKenna stays perfect
Stephen McKenna made it eight straight wins as a pro, with all eight by knockout, as the California-based Irishman took just under a round to deal with Damian Haus.
An accumulation of punches, especially to the body, dropped the Pole with just over two minutes gone in the opener, and although Haus (3-6, 3 KOs) beat the count, McKenna (8-0, 8 KOs) laid siege for the rest of the frame, with referee Kevin Parker stepping in.
Idris Virgo (10-0-1, 1 KO) remained undefeated as he took a four round decision win against the durable Lewis van Poetsch (9-125-2), while Heavyweight Tommy Welch (2-0, 2 KOs) halted Lithuania’s Dmitrij Kalinovskij (13-67-4, 5 KOs) inside a round.
Ricky Hatton-trained Brett McGinty (2-0) picked up the second win of his professional career, as the Irish Middleweight took all four rounds against Dwain Grant (3-10-1), while at Super Welterweight, Michael Hennessy Jr moved to 6-1-1 with victory against Paul Cummings (2-49).
