Frankie Gavin retained his unbeaten record at Liverpool's Echo Arena with a controversial win over Curtis Woodhouse.
Split decision verdict ofr WBO inter-continental champ
Frankie Gavin retained his unbeaten record at Liverpool's Echo Arena but the 25-year-old was somewhat fortunate to be handed a split decision win over former footballer Curtis Woodhouse.
Gavin, a Birmingham fan who once cheered on former Blue Woodhouse from the stands, was the hot favourite to retain his WBO inter-continental welterweight title.
However, he made a poor start and had his face reddened in the opening round by some consistent jabs from Woodhouse.
And Woodhouse, who has assembled a solid record as a pro boxer, continued to land lefts and rights, connecting with a series of clean shots in round three.
Gavin improved in round four and the fifth proved to be his best round as he eluded Woodhouse's shots and landed some decent blows himself.
The bout was a tight affair but Gavin seemed to edge rounds six, seven and eight as Woodhouse was bloodied around his left eye.
However, Woodhouse landed a superb short right in the 10th which sent Gavin's gumshield flying and, after a scrappy final round, ringside opinion was divided over who had won.
As it transpired, a relieved Gavin got the verdict, with one judge favouring him 117-112 and another giving him the verdict 116-113, while the dissenting voice scored it 115-114 to Woodhouse.
