Last night, the legendary York Hall in London was the stage for an unforgettable fight between super-bantamweights Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta. Not only did this fight present itself as a candidate for Fight of the Year, but it also sadly became memorable for one of the most horrendous cuts witnessed this year. Unbeaten 22-year-old southpaw Dennis McCann, rising above his class for this fight, was unable to clinch the victory against Romania’s Baluta. The situation escalated in the seventh round when both fighters’ heads collided, resulting in McCann sustaining a deep cut on his forehead.
Up to that point, the fight had been nothing short of thrilling, an absolute spectacle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The fierce battle continued until the ninth round when McCann, now inflicted with a second cut, was determined too injured to continue. With blood everywhere, the referee had no choice but to stop the fight. The judges then took over, with two calling it a draw at 86-86 and the third tipping it in McCann’s favor at 86-85.
Now holding a record of 14-01(8), McCann, hailing from Maidstone in Kent, wasted no time in demanding a rematch. Baluta, the Watford-based fighter, equally expressed a desire for a second face-off. Baluta’s record now stands at 16-4-1(3).
Boxing fans expected aa good fight, and the fighters did not disappoint. They set an intense pace from the opening bell, with some moments leaving spectators breathless.
The third round was marked by aggressive exchanges, and the fifth round saw McCann taking a huge hit only to rebound with two powerful shots to the head. The critical head clash occurred in the seventh round, causing blood to pour down McCann’s face.
An incident in the eighth round, initially looking like a knockdown for Baluta, was ruled a slip by the referee. Baluta came back aggressively, seeking to end the fight with a hard blow. His bloodied opponent, however, struggled to see the incoming attacks. The figh continued to intensify until the unfortunate stoppage, leaving both fighters believing they had secured the win.
Baluta confidently declared, “I’ll have a rematch and next time I’ll win by knockout,” while McCann countered with, “It was a good fight. I thought I won by a round.”
Last night’s fight offered nearly everything a boxing fan could ask for: intense action, courage, controversy, and the unbreakable will of both fighters. The only thing missing was a clear-cut ending. As fans eagerly await the rematch, the focus now shifts to McCann’s recovery from his injuries.