Akeem Ennis Brown lands vacant IBF European super-lightweight belt with points win over Darragh Foley
Australian-based Irishman Darragh Foley (15-3-1) was outpointed over 10 championship rounds by unbeaten Akeem Ennis Brown (12-0), 23 from Gloucester, who added the vacant IBF European super-lightweight belt to his English and WBC Youth World titles.
Blanchardstown’sFoley was left frustrated and defeated in London when the Dubliner was outpointed by the awkward and tricky Ennis Brown in the headlining fight of the BoxNation ‘Conquering Europe’ card on December 14.
Ennis Brown claimed a unanimous decision win in an ugly fight which wasn’t easy on the eye. It was a tentative start with tense exchanges even after the bell. Referee Phil Edwards had to step in often druing the 10-round contest ordering the pair to clean it up. The mid-rounds were very scrappy and the Bondai-based boxer was on the canvas several times from trips, pushes and shoves, which 'Riiddy' was very fortunate not to be penalised for.
The final round saw the Irishman desperate to score a KO, knowing full well he was trailing heavily on the corecards, but the one big punch didn't come for him and was staggered himself in the closing moments.
'Riiddy' was far superior throughout and the scorecards were read as 98-92, 97-93, 96-94.
Londoner Larry Ekundayo (15-1-KO3) successfully defended his IBF European crown against unbeaten challenger Louis Greene (9-1-KO5) on the same card with ringside scores of 100-89, 98-91, and 99-90.