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© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
Last night at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes, England, Matchroom Sports hosted a fight night headlined by the British Light Welterweight title clash between Paul McCloskey and Dean Harrison.
Northern Ireland’s McCloskey won the title last time out defeating Colin Lynes and was to face Scottish boxer Barry Morrison last night, but Morrison pulled out with a virus, leaving Wolverhampton’s Dean ʽDeanoʼ Harrison standing in at just 10 days notice.
Harrison entered the ring to huge support from the Wolverhampton fans, whoʼd travelled to Widnes.
McCloskey also had support from the Irish contingent. Flanked by trainers John Breen and Eamonn McGee, the champion looked confident as he waited in the ring.
Round one sees counter-punching McCloskey adopt a lower defence, catching Harrison with a clubbing left, but Harrison gets in with a left hook followed by a right to the head. In the last minute of the frame, a peach of a left hook lands on the chin of Harrison and he falls to the canvas.
Getting up to beat the count, Harrison continues but McCloskey lands a right hook and Harrison hangs on, tussled to the canvas again. Itʼs ruled a no-knockdown and Harrison does well to see out the end of the round.
In the second, McCloskey lands a left to the body. Despite his high guard, Harrison is caught by McCloskey’s shots. In the last minute again, another big left hook lands on target and Harrison wobbles slightly off-balance. In the closing seconds of the frame, a big swinging left hand from Harrison sends McCloskey to the canvas, but itʼs waved off as a no-knockdown by referee Marcus McDonnell.
Round three sees Harrison struggling to settle in. He lands with a decent body-shot but McCloskey always returns with an accurate counter. ʽWe love you Deano, we do’, sing the Black Country crowd but Harrison’s left eye is cut as he goes back to his corner.
In the opening minute of round four, a thumping left punch lands to the face of Harrison and moments later, another big left hook lands right on the button and Harrison’s head jerks back from the blow.
Mid-way through the round, Harrison has taken a number of shots, causing referee McDonnell to take a closer look. Throwing shots, Harrison misses his opponent, who dips up and down smartly. Moments later, the Irishman accurately lands a number of shots which ʽhurtʼ Harrison and referee McDonnell jumps in to stop the contest.
A brave effort by Dean Harrison but a ʽsharpʼ, ʽaccurate punchingʼ Paul McCloskey wins by stoppage round four.
Undefeated McCloskey retains the British Light Welterweight title and his record now stands at 19 wins and no losses.
