Liam Davies vs Ionut Baluta full fight reports and results
Full fight results for Saturday's Telford card, promoted by Frank Warren, broadcast live on BT Sport from 7pm on November 19, 2022.
Full fight reports for Davies-Baluta below:
Main Event
12×3 WBC International & European Super-Bantamweight Championship
Liam Davies vs Ionut Baluta
Local lad Liam Davies boxed brilliantly towards his way to become the new WBC International and European super-bantamweight champion.
26-year-old Davies added the European and WBC International titles to his ever-increasing CV by outclassing former WBO European titlist Baluta over 12 rounds.
Davies was the dominant force throughout the fight, pitching his tactics to perfection and frustrating the wayward Baluta, who simply couldn't effectively get himself into range.
The long jab of Davies worked overtime and he measured his distance to keep the Romanian out of range.. The Telford favourite was tidy and well drilled, while Baluta resorted to wild swings that rarely came close to the target.
The judges scores were perhaps tighter than anticipated, with the fight being scored 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111.
"It is amazing and another step up in my career," said the new double champion. "I am 13 fights in and I've won the English, the WBC, British and European titles. I've got to give myself credit, but I will be back in the gym soon and I've conquered Britain, I've conquered Europe and now let's go for the world with BT behind me. Why not?
"I felt comfortable all the way. I hurt my hands on his head, he's got a very hard head and I had a blister that bloody hurt moving about. But look, I got the job done, I done it in my home town as main event and I've got Frank Warren and all the team getting behind me.
"Look at all the people supporting me. Money can't buy that, memories for life.
"I was too comfortable at times and I cruised through the fight again. I don't think I've really been tested yet and I am ready for another step-up. I am ready to go up and up and up.
"I am levels above everyone else, I've dusted everyone in the British rankings and European rankings and I want these big fights. The sky's the limit and I want to touch the stars. I am ready for whatever."
Chief Support
10×3 Light-Heavyweight Contest
Anthony Yarde vs Stefani Koykov
A right hook to the body followed by a right uppercut to the head literally lifted Koykov off his feet for Yarde to win in round three.
He had to find a way past a tough customer in Koykov, who didn't hide and came to trade. Yarde, however, became more fluent and accurate with each passing minute and a big right uppercut in the third resulted in it being down and out for the German.
The timing of Yarde's 22nd victory via KO was 2.31 and now a big Wembley night on BT Sport awaits.
Yarde said post-fight, "Thanks everyone for your support. I trained hard, worked hard to get out of, not get out of, but overcome East London and the sh*t it comes. Stay strong. Lions in the camp forever!"
The 31-year-old 'Beast from the East' now faces WBC, IBF, WBO light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev on January 28 in London.
The OVO Arena, Wembley, will stage Yarde's night of destiny.
Fight #7
10×3 Super-Lightweight Contest
Eithan James Keanen Wainwright
96-94 is as closes as it comes for Eithan James who overcame adversity to remain undefeated, showing plenty of heart and determination in the 10-round battle.
James successfully moved to 10-0 after a barnstorming encounter with Wainwright.
'Jammy' had to call on all of his heart and courage after he was knocked down in the first round by the Sheffield man and was subsequently hampered by two bad cuts caused by head clashes.
The 22-year-old effectively regrouped in the fifth round and likely took the remaining rounds as referee Kevin Parker scored a gripping fight 96-94 in his favour.
Fight #6
6×3 Light-Heavyweight Contest
Ezra Taylor vs Mohamed Cherif Benchadi
Nottingham's Ezra Taylor lived up to his moniker of 'The Cannon' tonight with a second round stoppage of Mohamed Cherif Benchadi.
A left-right hook combination to the temple saw Benchadi swept off his feet and 28-year-old Taylor knew it was all over instantly, turning away to celebrate in front of his vocal fans.
Confident light heavyweight Ezra Taylor – now 4-0 – was untroubled by late opponent Mohamed Cherif Benchadi, with the Frenchman put down twice and on the second occasion referee Chris Dean had seen enough and waved the fight off after 1:53 of round two.
Fight #5
6×3 Lightweight Contest
Willo Hayden vs Marian Marius Istrate
Standout amateur Willo Hayden put in a calculated performance to win comfortably on points – scored 60-54.
Dubliner Hayden eased to victory over six rounds against Marian Marius Istrate, adopting a patient approach to overcome the Romanian by a margin of 60-54, adjudged by referee Chris Dean. Hayden moves to 5-0 in the pro ranks.
Fight #4
10×3 Midlands Area Welterweight Championship
Jamie Stewart vs Owen Cooper
Owen Cooper summed up the style, 'Hit and don't get hit' tonight with an outstanding performance against Staffordshire's Jamie Stewart.
The 22-year-old from Worcester won 100-89 to lift his first professional title – the Midlands Area welterweight belt.
Owen Cooper became Midlands Area welterweight champion by virtue of an outstanding performance that completely overwhelmed the champion Jamie Stewart. The 22-year-old had his man down in round five after landing a straight left and referee Kevin Parker scored the fight as a total shutout at 100-89 in favour of the now 7-0 Cooper, who really looks like he is one to watch.
Fight #3
6×3 Super-Bantamweight Contest
Brad Strand vs Darwin Martinez
Growing ever stronger as a professional, ABA Elites champion Bradley Strand scored a knockdown against heavy-handed Martinez to win 59-54 on points.
Liverpool's Strand put Darwin Martinez to the canvas on his way to a that takes him to 9-0 and on the cusp of title contention.
Fight #2
6×3 Super-Welterweight Contest
George Davey vs Paul Cummings
Davey forced a stoppage in four rounds against Cummings.
York super welterweight prospect George Davey took his record to 6-0-1 with a career-first stoppage of Paul Cummings in the fourth round. Local lightweight Macaulay Owen also grounded his opponent Eduardo Valverde but was forced to go the six-round distance to move to 5-0.
Fight #1 From 7pm
6×3 Super-lightweight Contest
McCauley Owen vs Eduardo Valverde
A powerful left hand from Owen landed on the temple of Valverde to send him backwards to the canvas. Owen went on to win the bout 60-53 on points.
