Munroe passes Armenian test

Leicester southpaw retains European title but needs to battle through

Last updated: 5th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Munroe passes Armenian test

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Rendall Munroe retained his European super bantamweight title with a tough points verdict over battling Armenian Arsen Martirosyan in Nottingham.

The boxing binman had to first of all survive and high-pressure start from the challenger to them take control later in the fight and he looked to have his man on the verge by the seventh round.

Munroe could not finish his teak-tough opponent though and in the end had to settle for a unanimous points decision with the judges scoring it 115-113, 117-112, and 115-114.

The French-based Armenian was a total unknown quantity going into the fight and Munroe was a 33-1 on shot with the bookies, but he could not have expected the start he faced.

Small but stocky, Martirosyan came marching forward immediately from the opening bell and set a frighteningly high tempo to swarm all over the champion.

Chin

Munroe was caught a few times and his chin was tested out as the Leicester southpaw could not get the space he wanted to operate in as Martirosyan set a relentless pace.

It took six rounds for Munroe to settle and by the seventh he had it all his way as the challenger started blowing hard and the champion sent his man reeling across the ring with some hurtful body shots.

In the eighth round it looked all over as Munroe sent in 35 punches landed to Martirosyan's two, but somehow despite using the ropes to stay up he stayed in the fight.

Munroe could not finish the job and despite having it all his way from then on he could not find the clean shots to take out the challenger.

The fight was a good learning curve for the European champion though and his points win ensured he retained his title and can move on.

"It was a hard fight because we knew nothing about him so I took it as it came," Munroe told Sky Sports.

"I went out and enjoyed myself and feel like I've moved up another step.

"I've got a good team behind me and I was determined so I had to turn my game up a bit tonight."

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