At the top of a Frank Warren promoted card at York Hall, Bethnal Green, Ionut Baluta took the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title, upsetting Brad Foster via unanimous decision.
Both men went into this one on the back of defeats. Foster was coming off losing his British and Commonwealth titles in a scrappy decision reverse to European champion Jason Cunningham last October, while Baluta pushed Michael Conlan in his last contest, eventually going down via majority decision last April. He also held a win over former world champion, TJ Doheny.
The contest was a scrappy affair in the main, with plenty of clinches and cagey moments, but it was the Spain based Romanian, Baluta, that had the better moments as the match progressed, and deservedly got his hand raised in what was a fair decision after ten rounds.
An incredibly close fight goes the distance! 🙌
Who did you score it for? 👀
VOTE BELOW! 👇#FosterBaluta | #FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/Gqeg7Fgpu3
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
One score of 98-94, and two at 97-93 gave the visitor the belt, and opened up further opportunities in the future.
Andrew Cain is fast building a reputation as a knockout artist, and he defended his WBC International Silver super bantamweight title for the first time with a ruthless first round knockout of Luis Moreno. It was Cain’s ninth knockout from ten wins. Moreno was helpless, and down twice prior to the conclusion of the bout.
And just like that @AndrewCainERT gets it done! 💥
He defends his title with a stunning first round finish over Luis Moreno 🔥#FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/39Qkw8LJbl
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
The Frankhams both tasted victory on the bill, with Charles Frankham given a good argument by Sandeep Singh Bhatti at super featherweight, eventually taking a six round decision victory. Bhatti was down in the closing stages of the fifth from a straight right at the end of a sharp Frankham combination, but gave a good account of himself, with Frankham taking a 60-53 verdict from the referee.
What a fight this has been! 🔥@CharlesFrankham drops Bhatti to end the round 💥#FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/cSVlGDp5iA
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
Joshua Frankham took all four frames at welterweight against Naeem Ali, and Sean Noakes marked his professional debut with victory at the same weight, 40-36 against Lee Hallett.
All respect between Frankham and Ali 🤝 #FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/bbwYDYRUt8
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
Raven Chapman is only the second female boxer signed by Frank Warren, and she is certainly one to watch, with ‘The Omen’ taking a round to knock out Gabriella Mezei at featherweight. The visitor was unable to withstand a body onslaught from the Buckinghamshire native.
Done in one! 💥 @ravenchapman01 finishes her opponent in under 60-seconds 🔥#FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/nkWYq9SiLg
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
Micky Burke Jr moved to 6-0, with the welterweight knocking out Ivica Gogosevic in four rounds of a scheduled six. The visitor was down in the opener, and a body shot finished matters three rounds later.
And there is the finish! 💥
21-year-old @michaelburkejr puts Gogosevic down and out 🔥#FightNightLive | BT Sport 2 HD pic.twitter.com/UPm7GjXcRC
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 20, 2022
Adan Mohamed took all four rounds of his super bantamweight encounter with Stefan Nicolae.
