Johanneson retains title

Carl Johanneson retained his British super-featherweight title with a brutal sixth round stoppage victory over Michael Gomez.

Carl Johanneson retained his British super-featherweight title with a brutal sixth round stoppage victory over Michael Gomez. The Leeds fighter took on the veteran in a voluntary defence of his crown and it turned out to be the thriller it promised. Gomez, at 30 only a year older than his opponent but twice a holder of the British title, came out all guns blazing and had the champion covering up early on. However, the Mancunian was never going to be able to keep up such a frenetic pace and Johanneson was soon landing the better punches, being particularly successful with the straight right. It was clear by the fourth round that the champion was getting on top despite being cut by the right eye, wobbling Gomez with a good combination as the challenger started to tire. The fifth went in similar fashion - Gomez beginning brightly but fading as the round went on, thumping his chest in an attempt to show that the 'warrior' was still alive. But Johanneson continued to land combinations at will, and with Gomez's head movement and defence becoming non-existent, the Manchester fighter went down towards the end of the sixth. Mickey Vann gave the challenger another chance, but when Johanneson landed another big right hand the London referee stepped in - much to the anger Gomez, who would clearly have fought to the death. For the champion, the victory gets him back on track after a devastating loss to European champion Leva Kirokosyan, but the future looks bleak for Gomez, who has now lost eight times including three of his last five.