Saturday 9 June 2018 23:11, UK
Maurice Hooker is the new WBO super-lightweight champion after a split decision verdict over Brit Terry Flanagan.
Flanagan was looking to become a two-weight world champion and bravely went the distance at the Manchester Arena as blood poured from a cut above his eyes, following a nasty clash of heads.
But, although one of the judges scored the fight in favour of Flanagan 117-111, the other cards went in Hooker's favour 117-111 and 115-113, meaning the Brit surrendered his unbeaten record.
The American had been in confident mood throughout the week and he backed up his words with a valiant display to remain undefeated himself (24 wins, three draws), although he was pushed all the way by Flanagan in a stirring battle.
Fighting in his home city, Flanagan was cheered on by the large crowd as he stepped up in weight following five successful defences of his WBO lightweight crown.
And, despite a 14-month lay-off due to injuries, the 28-year-old looked sharp early on, landing left hands in the second and third rounds.
But Hooker made good use of his reach advantage at times, notably in the fourth, before a clash of heads early in the seventh left Flanagan badly cut next to his right eye and down his forehead.
Flanagan fought with more purpose afterwards but Hooker had success with some shots on the counter-attack - and the duo traded blows with gusto in the final round, sensing they needed to impress.
And it was Hooker who got the nod in the end, although the discrepancy in two of the scorecards was a fair reflection of a hard fight to call.
