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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Last night the Harvey Hadden Sports Complex in Nottingham, England, promoter Frank Maloney hosted a fight night headlined by ‘Boxing Binman’ Rendall Munroe’s fifth defence of his European Super Bantamweight title.
Facing Italy’s Simone ‘Boom Boom’ Maludrottu, this could be Munroe’s toughest test, but winning this contest may propel him to a much deserved world title fight.
The atmosphere inside the venue was fantastic! Munroe always enjoys big crowd support and last night was no exception as a sea of fluorescent ‘bin-man-style’ tabards greeted him as he entered the ring.
Round one sees Maludrottu off to the better start but Munroe manages to get in with some shots to the body of the Italian and a decent uppercut. Munroe settles in during the second round – upping the work rate, but Maludrottu continues to keep busy.
Round three sees Munroe drive Maludrottu back. Munroe is caught by a couple of head-shots as Maludrottu forces him back against the ropes, but the champion gets away from the ropes and targets the body of his opponent. It’s a close contest so far and Sky Sports Statistics reveal that there is little difference in punches (Munroe landing 47 of 193 and Maludrottu landing 52 of 205).
Munroe comes out ‘fired-up’ for round four – pressuring Maludrottu against the ropes. Both men’s heads rub together as they work up close. Getting away from the ropes – both men pull apart briefly and Maludrottu seizes the chance to throw a right which catches Munroe on the face – but – though a decent shot – Munroe looks unfazed by it.
Round five and Munroe ups the work-rate, throwing whatever punches he can at Maludrottu. ‘Keep going, Rendall!’, trainer Jason Shinfield shouts from his corner, urging Munroe to keep punching. In the last minute of the round, Munroe forces Maludrottu into the corner but the Italian whips out a right uppercut which catches Munroe cleanly on the chin.
They get out of the corner but Munroe is caught by a couple of shots and is under pressure from the challenger. Continuing to drive himself forward, Munroe tries to keep punching but his face is bloody now from a cut to the forehead.
In the sixth frame, Munroe puts some distance between himself and Maludrottu to use the longer-reaching jab but it’s not long before they’re in a tangle on the ropes again working up close. Frank Maloney is on his feet ringside urging Munroe to ‘Work!’
Midway through the seventh – Munroe lands a left-right combination to the head and Maludrottu looks under pressure momentarily. “Get back on him, Rendall!” Jason Shinfield shouts and Munroe finishes the round strongly.
Sky Sports Stats show that there are only a difference of three punches landed between both men (Munroe – 115, Maludrottu – 112)
The eighth sees Munroe spending much of the round pressuring Maludrottu against the ropes. In the closing seconds, the champion lands a decent straight left which rocks back the head of the Italian – but both men immediately ’lock horns’ again.
The remaining four rounds saw Munroe punching relentlessly to the final bell.
Sky Stats show that Munroe threw the more punches (941-835) and both boxers had the same amount of success (each landing 22% of punches).
Rendall Munroe wins by unanimous points decision: 116-112; 115-113; 116-112 to retain his European Super Bantamweight title.
Munroe improves to 20-1 (8), while Maludrottu drops to 30-3 (11).
