Rhodes defeats Moore in thriller

Sheffield's Ryan Rhodes is the new European light-middleweight champion after a thrilling seventh-round stoppage of Jamie Moore in Bolton.

The 32-year-old Rhodes looked like he might be overpowered by Salford's Moore in the early rounds, but rallied well.

Rhodes dropped his 30-year-old rival with a big right hook early in round seven before Moore regained his senses.

But Rhodes rocked Moore with another right hand and the referee stepped in with 25 seconds remaining in the round.

The victory also catapults Rhodes, who challenged for the WBO title in 1997, back into the world title picture with the fight officially an eliminator for the WBC crown.

Moore, who falls to 32 wins (23 KOs) and four defeats, was making the second defence of the belt he won in style against Italian former world champion Michele Piccirillo in March.

606: DEBATE

" Just like old times from Ryan Rhodes. Although he looked to have chosen the wrong tactics, you sensed that he knew that if he could take Moore into the second half of the fight he could wear him down "

And as expected, he began the fight pressurising his man, landing clean shots with alarming regularity in the opening round.

Rhodes, who now has 43 wins (29 KOs) and four defeats, was more prepared to trade in the second and landed plenty of right-handed jabs and hooks himself.

Several big body shots and a lovely left-right at close quarters by Moore were dealt with well by Rhodes, who also showed a strong chin by shaking off a swinging left which landed flush.

Rhodes finished the fourth stronger, however, a left of his own giving Moore something to think about.

Both fighters were warned for low blows in the sixth, Moore landing a hurtful shot below the belt before Rhodes retaliated a minute later.

Rhodes' fortunes were improving, however, with his superior shot selection earning him rounds, and while Moore was tiring, the Yorkshireman still seemed to have plenty in the tank.

In the opening moments of round seven, Rhodes floored Moore with a well-disguised right hook.

Moore showed a champion's heart to regain his composure and beat the count, and then went on to dominate the round, only for Rhodes to finish it mercilessly.

Moore, gasping for air and running on empty, was caught by another right to the chin which sent him to the ropes and Rhodes went in for the kill.

And with Rhodes landing cleanly and nothing coming back, referee Howard Foster brought a contender for domestic fight of the year to a halt.

On the undercard, former European champion Ian Napa won the British bantamweight title from Gary Davies with a majority decision.

And Mongolian native Shinny Bayaar claimed the British flyweight title - months after securing his passport - with an impressive split-decision win over defending champion Chris Edwards.

In addition, 2008 Olympic super-heavyweight bronze medallist David Price won his third professional fight with a four-round points victory over Bulgarian Yavor Marinchev.

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