Natasha Jonas vs Marie-Eve Dicaire – Results & Post-Fight Report

Tasha Jonas added the IBF super welterweight title to her WBC and WBO straps, as she took a competitive points win against Canada’s Marie Eve Dicaire at the Manchester Arena.

After two heart-breaking losses in world title bids at super featherweight and lightweight, Jonas finally became world champion in February, taking the WBO belt in a second round stoppage of Chris Namus, and the Liverpudlian added the WBC crown in her last fight, outscoring Patricia Berghult. Dicaire (18-2, KO1) came into this one as a two-time IBF champion, with her only loss a points reverse for the undisputed title against Claressa Shields last March.

Jonas (13-2-1, KO8) began strongly, landing with a big left hook in the first round, but Dicaire finished the frame by having success of her own. It was good give and take stuff, with the pair each enjoying spells with the upper hand, but Jonas seemed to have the weightier blows, that were causing the most damage, and banking the most rounds. In the later rounds, Dicaire’s nose was damaged, but Jonas was still forced to work hard to keep on top of the action, and she was kept honest until the final bell, where the judges were required.

Jonas further unified by scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93.

Ricky Hatton got himself into fantastic shape, and had an entertaining exhibition against Marco Antonio Barrera.

Dalton Smith (13-0, KO10) made a successful first defence of his British super lightweight title, but was forced to work hard in a points win over Kaisee Benjamin (16-2-1, KO6). Smith was given arguably his sternest test by the Birmingham man, and was cut during the fight, but came through on the cards by scores of 117-112, 116-113 and 115-114.

Frazer Clarke (4-0, KO3) went the distance for the first time in his career, taking a six round points win against the teak-tough Kamil Sokolowski (11-27-3, KO4). Clarke won all six rounds in the heavyweight contest.

Tyler Denny (15-2-3, KO0) retained his English middleweight title, and took the unbeaten record of Bradley Rea (14-1, KO5) in a unanimous decision win. It was a throwback kind of fight, with plenty of action, and it was Denny that got the nod, by two scores of 95-94, and a third at 97-92.

Viddal Riley (7-0, KO4) stayed undefeated, taking a third round stoppage win against Ross McGuigan (3-1, KO0) in their cruiserweight contest scheduled for six.

Dylan Cheema (7-1, KO2) suffered an upset, as the former Boxxer tournament winner lost a decision over four rounds to the well-travelled Jordan Ellison (14-44-3, KO1) at lightweight. Ellison won 39-38, taking his first victory in eleven fights.

At middleweight, Jack Kilgannon (12-1, KO3) got back to winning ways after a stoppage defeat to Zak Chelli, and he took a points win over six against Meshack Mwankemwa (23-13-2, KO14).

Clark Smith (3-0, KO0) banked another win, this time taking all four rounds against Dale Arrowsmith (5-67-2, KO1) at welterweight.