Branco claims Lynes' belt
Londoner loses split decision on Italian soil
Last updated: 16th May 2008
Colin Lynes lost his European light-welterweight title on Friday night when Italian veteran Gianluca Branco claimed a narrow verdict in Turin.
Hornchurch hitter Lynes was defending his title for only the second time but looked assured as he dropped the local hero in the second round.
But the wily 37-year-old boxed his way back into the contest and clinched a split decision on the cards, with the judges giving it 114-113 twice to Branco, with a third scoring it 115-113 to Lynes.
The Englishman dominated the early rounds behind a sharp jab leaving Branco, who last held the title back in 2002, looking shell-shocked.
Branco went down to a combination in the second round amid claims of a clash of heads but Lynes was unable to thrust home his advantage as the Italian began to gain in confidence.
Lynes seemed happier to box on the outside with pretty combinations but it was Branco who was clocking up the rounds, being more prepared to get hit as he came forward.
Right hands
The former world title challenger had his best round in the seventh, catching the champion with right hands on two seperate occasions with Lynes needing to hang on.
The right hand of Branco continued to be a success although neither fighter appeared in trouble as the fight wore on, the only difference being the local man's greater desire to go on the offensive.
The final round was a humdinger as both went for it in a big way - Branco boxing as though his career depended on it.
And it may have proved the difference as the veteran earned himself at least one more decent payday, while Lynes must now re-group having resurrected a career that was going the wrong way two years ago following successive defeats.
"I'm gutted - I felt I won it," he told Sky Sports. "I didn't feel it was slipping away and didn't feel the need to look desperate and go at him for no reason and get caught clumsily.
"So why would they give the close rounds to him just for the sake of giving them to him? I don't know, you tell me.
"I did the cleaner work and the fans were all cheering everything he did like they would, but time will tell and people will be honest with me if they thought I won or not.
"But with the knockdown as well - what more could you do over here?"
Features
The phwoar season
Adam Smith looks back on an another cracking campaign at home and abroad, at world and British level.
Belt up for the Brits!
Glenn McCrory was bemused by the latest heavyweight offfering, but loved John Murray's British title tear-up.
Wlad's yawning glory
A joke that would've sent you to sleep... Wayne McCullough on Wladimir Klitschko's weekend win.
Comments
Mark Stolworthy says...
Lynnes was clearly technically a better boxer. He out boxed the italian, who only caught lynes out when he slipped. The follow up to the slip was a flurry of punches and elbows which didn't look to make proper contact (the crowd jeers made it sound as if they were!?). The judging was a joke. To win a title you need to dominate a fight. All Branco did was use his weight/strength to push forward and to give the impression he was dominating the fight. His punches were rarely on target. Lynnes did not dominate in terms of constantly coming forward, but his punches were more often than not clean and succesful. I feel sorry for lynes. Cheated. Lesson learnt: Plain and simply do not fight in Italy/Germany!!!
Posted 12:35 20th May 2008
Ste John says...
Our boxers should start defending there titles at home . Why always fight in other countries. I thought he won and no doubt would of got the win ,if he was fighting at home . Hatton would have more of a chance of beating mayweather ,if he fought at home and our time . But money talks and half of the boxers are more interested in that than the titles.
Posted 11:35 18th May 2008
Steve Ross says...
Can someone tell me WHY he had this defence in Italy, everyone knows you have to knock em out to get a draw over there, its getting like that in Germany now also. Colin won the fight hands down, maybe a few middle rounds he lost but no way did he lose the fight
Posted 12:36 17th May 2008
Dominic Dunton says...
franco was by far the better fighter.... never say die attitude won him that fight... lyno did not fancy it towards the end of the fight and thats what cost him......
Posted 12:05 17th May 2008
Gregory Willis says...
just watched the whole fight and felt gutted for Lyno; I thought he did enough to win. Totaly out skilled his opponent and never looked hurt except for one or two occasions which looked worse than they were. better fighter lost, you knew he was going to loose when one of the judges names was francesco!.
Posted 09:39 17th May 2008
Jonny Clough says...
He got unlucky he makde a pretty decent performance over there knocking him down in the 2nd but loosing on points !?!??!?!? Home advantage i could go on but it has just been the luck of british fighters this year
Posted 09:34 17th May 2008
Jay Baker says...
another british fighter loses.whens it going to stop
Posted 00:45 17th May 2008
Add Comment*
All fields are required