There were two British title fight cards last night in the UK that saw one reigning champion hold onto his belt but another lose it after twelve hard fought rounds.

At the Millennium Hotel in London's Mayfair section, British Featherweight Champion John Simpson of Greenock, Scotland thrashed southpaw challenger Ryan Barrett to the tune of a fifth round KO.

At the Civic Centre in Motherwell, Scotland, hometown man Barry Morrison put his British Light Welter crown at risk for the first time and lost a unanimous decision to ex-IBO titlist Colin Lynes.

For the 23 year old Simpson, 15-5 (5), who was also defending his British title for the first time, the knockout over Barrett, 15-4-1 (3), capped off a two year run of mixed fortunes.

At 5 foot 10, Barrett towered over Simpson but the British Champion put his disadvantage to good use as he pressured the London based challenger relentlessly and struck paydirt in the fifth round when a sizzling left hook to the body put Barrett down for good at 2:50 of the frame.

With the win, Simpson would no doubt like a rematch with current WBU titlist Derry Matthews of Liverpool, who bested the British Champion over twelve rounds this past March.

Heading north to Motherwell, Scotland, local hero Barry Morrison, 14-2 (7), had gone into his maiden defense of the British Light Welter title on a high note after taking the domestic crown on a close split decision over Lenny Daws in London this past January.

But challenger Colin Lynes, 29-3 (11), brought bags of experience to the table having posted wins over Pablo Sarmiento, Kevin Bennett and Jauquin Gallardo along with a very close loss to current WBC Champion Junior Witter.

Once the bout began, Morrison pressured Lynes but the challenger simply controlled the distance between the two with a superb jab and raked the champion with constant counter combinations that had Morrison looking for answers.

Morrison had some success once he got on the inside but Lynes was simply too educated to let himself be battered on the ropes and came out with the British title via scores of 117-111, 116-113 and 116-112.

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