By Rahil Sheikh: Amir Khan (25-1, 17 KOs) retained his WBA light-welterweight crown with a technical decision victory over Northern Ireland’s European champion Paul McCloskey (22-1, 12 Kos), in a packed M.E.N arena.
The bout ended in the sixth round after the ringside doctor deemed McCloskey unable to continue after the challenger was cut above the eye due to an accidental clash of heads, much to the anger of the McCloskey camp.
The fight was summoned to the scorecards and after six rounds of boxing Khan was awarded a comfortable decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 60-54.
However, McCloskey’s promoter Barry Hearn stormed into the ring in protest against the decision, in what he believed to be a “disgraceful stoppage”
“This is an absolute disgrace!” Said Hearn
“I have seen dozens of fights where a fighter has won championships having had a much worse cut then that”
McCloskey also felt the fight was ended prematurely and was adamant he would have knocked out Khan in the later rounds.
“I can’t believe they stopped it. Khan was getting tired from round 3 and it was just a matter of time before I knocked him out. He will never be an elite pound for pound boxer. I want a rematch.” Said a frustrated McCloskey after the bout.
Khan had a different view though, he said: “He didn’t want to continue. When the doctor came he didn’t tell him he wanted to carry on. I won every single round and I would have knocked him out had the fight gone on.
Speaking on a possibly of a rematch, Khan said: “I have no motivation for a rematch. I’m moving on to bigger and better things”
The fight got off to a cautious start from both fighters as McCloskey’s awkward style appeared to counter Khans fast hands.
Khan soon settled and landed lightening quick combinations in the second, only for McCloskey to land a solid right hook of his own.
Khan continued with his fast flurries but McCloskey’s movement made it difficult for Khan to pin the European champion down who made Khan miss his shots quite often, though McCloskey did not capitalize on the openings he created.
Khans high work rate paid off in the fourth and fifth landing cleaner combinations as McCloskey’s became an easier target.
In the sixth round Khan had McCloskey reeling before they both leaned in clashing heads that consequently ended the night much to the disappointment of the fans and especially the McCloskey camp.
The victory put Amir Khan a step closer to securing an eagerly anticipated unification title fight with American Timothy Bradley.
For McCloskey, his promoter Barry Hearn stated he would be making an appeal to the British Boxing Board of Control over the controversial stoppage.
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