Last night Liverpudlian Derry Mathews did what many thought impossible and finally won the British Lightweight title from Anthony Crolla. It is now Crolla's third loss of his 26 fight career but this one hurt most, and not just mentally but physically as well. Crolla started the bout brilliant, working his jab and keeping Mathews at distance but by round 3 Mathews found his feet and started to open up some great shots. It was a thrilling round that saw both Boxers fall, Crolla came off worse though as he was left with a very deep cut over his left eye. His corner done a great job of closing up the cut and Crolla came out in round 5 and seemed to be taking control of the fight again, he landed a great body shot on Mathews that left me thinking there wasn't long left before Crolla finishes him. It would serve me right to write off the Veteran Mathews as in the back end of round 6 he rocked Crolla into the ropes, as Crolla tried to steady himself and with Mathews ready to strike the referee stopped the fight with seconds left of the round. Initially i was upset at the desicion to stop the fight but i feel this was down to it being so close to the bell, if it had been half way through the round it would have probably been more accepted, especially as Crolla was dazed and for a moment defenseless. Gutted for Crolla as he has shown such promise over the last couple of years but take nothing away from a brilliant performance by the new Lightweight Champion Derry Mathews.
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