Elcock retains British belt

Elcock: First defence

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Wayne Elcock retained his British middleweight title in unsatisfactory circumstances on Friday night when challenger Darren McDermott was pulled out by the doctor in the second round.

McDermott suffered a deep cut below the left eye following an accidental clash of heads early in the round and the fight was swiftly waved off with blood pouring from the wound.

The previously undefeated challenger had the better of the opening exchanges, catching the champion with swift combinations and a stylish upper cut.

But he must now wait his turn for a possible re-match, with the 34-year-old Elcock likely to make another defence of his title in the meantime.

It was the Birmingham boxer's first defence of the strap he took from Howard Eastman last year and his first competitive action since losing an IBF world title challenge to Arthur Abraham in December.

Elcock was predictably unhappy with the outcome, telling Sky Sports: "I didn't even get out of first gear - but I'm not happy to win like that, of course I'm not.

"It was over before it began. (I'm) Disappointed to win that way - a win's a win but full credit to Darren, he obviously prepared hard for the fight and it's devastating to lose like that.

"He's had a long wait for tonight and for it to end in a couple of rounds it's poor really, but hopefully he can come back.

"I've obviously had a bit of inactivity after the Abraham fight so it was nice to get in there and I was hoping to get a few rounds under my belt tonight, but unfortunately it got finished early."