Anthony Fowler demolishes Jorge Fortea with a dramatic knockout in the third round
Anthony Fowler knocks out Jorge Fortea to claim WBA international belt; Chris Billam-Smith floors Vasil Ducar twice in a unanimous decision win, while Ellie Scotney secures a points victory over Mailys Gangloff
Saturday 20 March 2021 21:41, UK
Anthony Fowler demolished Jorge Fortea with a dramatic knockout to propel himself even closer to a big domestic super-welterweight clash.
The Liverpudlian dropped the Spaniard with a stiff jab and then unloaded a big right hand to floor Fortea for the count at The SSE Arena in Wembley.
Fowler's victory earned the WBA international title to improve his ranking, but also kept him on course for a rematch with Scott Fitzgerald, or the winner of next weekend's British title battle between Ted Cheeseman and James Metcalf.
Stabbing out a stiff jab, Fowler took the centre of the ring and tested Fortea's punch resistance with body shots in the opening round.
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Fortea responded with sharp counters in the second, but Fowler ended the fight in emphatic style in the third.
A perfectly-placed left hand floored Fortea, who clambered up from the canvas, and Fowler then unloaded a huge right to complete an impressive stoppage.
Earlier in the evening, Chris Billam-Smith dropped Vasil Ducar twice during a hard-fought points victory.
The Bournemouth cruiserweight floored Ducar with a right hand in the fourth round, then sent him back to the canvas with a body shot.
But the Czech fired back with clubbing shots as Billam-Smith was made to work for a unanimous decision, earning the WBA Continental title.
Ellie Scotney also added her second professional victory with a composed points win over Mailys Gangloff.
The 23-year-old gave glimpses of her talent, catching her French opponent with crisp combinations in a six-round victory.
