Connor O'Neill reports from ringside at the M&S Bank Arena after Molly McCann beat Ashleigh Johnson in her Liverpool homecoming fight
Molly McCann has her hand rasied after beating Ashleigh Johnson
Molly McCann has her hand rasied after beating Ashleigh Johnson(Image: (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing))
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Molly McCann raised the roof at the M&S Bank Arena before going on to deliver a dominant and clinical performance against Ashleigh Johnson. Making just her fourth outing since moving into the world of professional boxing, the former UFC star was fighting in her home city for the first time in eight years.
And the 35-year-old soaked up every second of her ring walk that raised the roof of this famous waterfront venue and featured a performance from close friend Jamie Webster. Wearing her Everton-inspired fight shorts, McCann made an aggressive start to the bout, but both fighters weren't shy in trading leather.
But it was McCann who dominated the contest as she delivered her best boxing performance to date, and even when she started to tire in the seventh, she was still managing to land shots to the head and body.
Speaking on commentary, Tony Bellew described McCann’s performance as "punch perfect", and it was no surprise that referee Mark Lyson scored the fight 78-74 in her favour.
And just before McCann raised the roof, Joe McGrail became the new Central Area super-bantamweight champion. The big Everton supporter made his way to the ring to Z Cars and went on to deliver the statement performance he craved against Aaron Hayden.
McGrail was already in control of the fight when he cut Hayden just above his right eye in the third round, and from there the Everton Red Triangle fighter didn’t look back.
Joe McGrail lands a shot on Aaron Hayden
Joe McGrail lands a shot on Aaron Hayden(Image: (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing))
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Round five started at a frantic pace, with both fighters seemingly happy to engage in a scrap and exchange heavy blows. But with 45 seconds of the round remaining, McGrail sent Hayden flying to the canvas after catching him with a left to the body.
Clearly winded and beaten by the shot, Hayden failed to rise before the end of the 10 count, and the fight was waved off by referee Steve Grey.
“It is special, my first belt in my home city,” McGrail said post-fight. “It is a special night. After I cut him, it took that last little bit of fight from him.
“I wasn’t even sure if it was a body shot. I was fighting at a new weight, and I wanted to make a statement. I had a very tough year last year, a very tough year, so just to be back in the ring fighting is unbelievable.”
Eddie Hearn and Joe McGrail after McGrail's win over Aaron Hayden
Eddie Hearn and Joe McGrail after McGrail's win over Aaron Hayden(Image: (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing))
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Ste Clarke, meanwhile, continued his unbeaten run in the professional ranks but only after avoiding a scare against Luis Enrique Montelongo Morales.
Clarke had boxed really well in the opening three rounds of the fight, but at the start of the fourth round, he was sent flying to the canvas after being caught by a big overhand right.
The 24-year-old was up by the time the count got to eight, and although he was forced to hold on at times, he managed to successfully see the round out without being hurt again.
Ste Clarke in action against Luis Enrique Montelongo
Ste Clarke in action against Luis Enrique Montelongo(Image: (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing))
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And, to his credit, Clarke came back strong in the fifth round, and by the time the fight hit the eighth and final round, he looked the most likely to claim a stoppage.
But in the end, the former Rotunda ABC man was forced to settle for a points victory, with referee Mark Lyson scoring the bout 78-73 in his favour.
While Sam Norris picked up a hometown victory against Jahfieus Faure in the opening bout of the night. The former Stockbridge ABC amateur won every round of the contest and is now 3-0 in the professional ranks.
Sam Norris lands a shot on Jahfieus Faure during their fight at the M&S Bank Arena
Sam Norris lands a shot on Jahfieus Faure during their fight at the M&S Bank Arena(Image: (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing))
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And shortly after Norris’ win, Runcorn’s Jack Power stopped Novak Radulovic in the final round of their bout. After winning all four of the opening six rounds of the contest, Power was caught at the start of the fifth round, and what can only be described as a war broke out.
Both fighters started to throw big shots, but Power, having recovered from the initial shot, was the one landing the cleaner shots.
And it was no surprise that after landing two fine shots to the head at the start of the sixth round, referee Steve Grey stepped and waved the fight off.