On Friday night, in a Frank Maloney promoted fight night at the famous York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, Gary Woolcombe made his first defence of the British Middlweight Title against Ryan Rhodes.

Taller, younger, ʽHot Stuffʼ Woolcombe of Kent faced the more experienced ʽSpice Boyʼ Rhodes of Sheffield. Ironically, Rhodes won this same title - eleven years ago.

Rhodes seems to be having trouble getting a grip on the canvas as he slips two or three times in the opening minute of the first round. But despite being the ʽolderʼ guy - Rhodes looks in fantastic physical shape.

Rhodes looks sharper, quicker and more stylish than the younger Woolcombe. More...

Last night at London's historic York Hall, Ryan Rhodes kept his unbeaten streak at light middle intact by knocking out reigning British titleholder Gary Woolcombe in nine rounds on a Frank Maloney promotion.

31 year old Rhodes regained the British title despite not having actually fought at 12 stone/154 lb since 1997!

Against Woolcombe, the long experience of the tricky Sheffield southpaw came to the fore. In the early rounds, Rhodes lay back and was content to let Woolcombe set the tone, choosing his spots carefully and hammering the British champion with educated counter shots that Woolcombe rarely saw coming.

As Woolcombe started to run out of gas midway throughout the bout, Rhodes began to go on the offensive and scored effectively with power shots that had the Londoner in some difficulty.

Woolcombe was floored in the sixth but the big hearted 25 year old beat the count and managed to box on until he was caught with a perfect right hook to the temple in the ninth round was counted out. More...

With only a few days to go before popular south Londoner Gary Woolcombe's first British light middleweight title defense against former champion Ryan "Spice Boy" Rhodes, the spiritual home of English boxing, York Hall, looks set for another thriller this Friday, April 18, 2008.

This highly anticipated light middleweight clash is the classic contrast of youth against experience. More...