Live results from David Oliver Joyce vs Lee Haskins and Sean McComb vs Mauro Godoy showdown in Belfast
All the results from Saturday's SOLD OUT #MTKFightNight at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.
DOORS OPEN – 4:30pm GMT
FIRST BELL – 5:15pm GMT
Preliminary bouts (iFL TV)
Bout 1
Cruiserweight, 4 Rounds
DEE SULLIVAN vs. JIRI SVACINA
Back to winning ways for Damien 'Dee' Sullivan (2-1), as he won 40-36 on points, which'll be a big relief after losing his last fight unexpectedly.
Sullivan: “I’m very happy with the performance. I overcame a lot to get back in there after what happened in my last fight at Feile.
“It was a very disciplined performance and now it’s just about keeping active and keeping busy, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”
Bout 2
Super-featherweight, 4 Rounds
RUAIRI DALTON vs. JOSE AGUILAR
'The Rook' won 40-36 on points to move up to 2-0.
Dalton: “It was my second professional fight and it was good to get in there under the lights again. I thought that I boxed well so I’m happy with the win.
“It’s about staying active and trying to fight as much as possible this year. I’ll hopefully be out again in a couple of months and then we’ll take things from there.”
Bout 3
Super-featherweight, 4 Rounds
CALLUM BRADLEY vs. MIKEY HORABIN
Callum Bradley moved up to 4-0 with a points win over Michael Horabin (2-14).
Bradley: “I got a good four rounds under my belt and it’s onwards and upwards from here. My opponent was a bit awkward but all in all I was happy.
“I love fighting in the Ulster Hall, I always bring a good crowd here so I’m happy that I was able to reward them with a victory.”
Bout 4
Super-lightweight, 4 Rounds
PIERCE O'LEARY vs. LIAM RICHARDS
English title contender Liam Richards (12-63) was bleeding from the nose in the first round as 'Big Bang' Pierce O'Leary (4-0) landed at will. He was especially successful when working to the body.
In the second, O'Leary was trying to land a decisive blow, but Richards was wiser after a torrid opener and moved well enough to avoid a lot of the attacks.
The Dubliner was trying to whip in his body shots with as much power as possible and even though they looked hurtful, 'Rocco' was able to withstand the pain.
The unbeaten super-lightweight from Dublin stopped his last opponent, Alec Bazza (0-47-3), but wasn't able to halt his durable opponent this time, earning a points victory instead.
O’Leary: “I knew my opponent was a survivor and tough to get out of there. If I pushed harder I could have maybe stopped him, but I wanted to get the rounds in so I’m happy.
It’s hopefully the start of a busy year. MTK Global are putting on some big events and this year is all about learning and building on things, and then in 2021 that’s when I want titles.”
Bout 5
Light-heavyweight, 6 Rounds
PADRAIG MCCRORY vs. LEWIS VAN POETSCH
Padraig McCrory (10-0) landed plenty of shots in the opener but nothing with enough venom to force former soldier Lewis Van Poetsch (9-119-2) backwards.
The pace slowed in the second, but McCrory landed a hard right early on, but 'Poochi' plodded on.
The 130-fight veteran stood toe to toe with unbeaten McCrory for the duration of the six rounds and provided fans with an entertaining fight, won by McCrory 60-55 on points.
McCrory: “It was good to get the six rounds in and I didn’t feel in any trouble at all, so I was pleased with how it went.
“I was really comfortable in there and now there’s big plans for the future, so hopefully it’s the start of what should be an important year.”
ESPN+ broadcasts begin 8:00pm GMT (3:00pm EST)
Bout 6
WBO European super-bantamweight title, 10 Rounds
DAVID OLIVER JOYCE vs. LEE HASKINS
Former world champion Lee Haskins (36-5) gave David Oliver Joyce (12-1) a harsh lesson in the first round as if to say 'Don't underestimate me!' The 37-year-old dominated the first round and Joyce looked a little troubled at the end.
A six-time Irish national amateur champion, Joyce came out stronger in the second and landed a hard right hand just 20 seconds to the end.
The third round caught fire! Rio 2016 Olympian, Joyce was really turning up the pressure and the pace, and Haskins looked worn out already. Despite the 'Playboy' Haskins landing two good left hooks in succession, 32-year-old Joyce ended the round with about 30 unanswered punches, which Haskins slipped most of but was caught plenty of times.
Five years his senior, Haskins was absorbing a lot of punishment from Joyce, but then dropped his hands and landed a combo, which ended with him pulling Joyce down to the ground.
The tricky southpaw, who was a world champion between 2016-2017, was down in the fifth round and was stopped shortly afterwards. There was just eight seconds remaining but the referee, Howard Foster, had seen enough. The former IBF champ wasn't dead on his feet but he had been taking too many shots for too long. Joyce was agressive, determined and busy, and deserved the win.
Trained by Peter Taylor, Joyce claimed the vacant WBO European super-bantamweight title, which is the second division he has held the belt in. He lost the WBO European featherweight title when he was defeated by Leigh Wood in the Golden Contract tournament in his last fight, but looks like a rejuvenated fighter at super-bantamweight.
Joyce: “I want to thank my team MTK Global for having me in this unbelievable arena, and I want to thank Lee Haskins for having this fight. I have so much respect for him.
“I’m enjoying this new weight and we’re going to have a massive 2020. This is only the start of the year and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Bout 7
Welterweight, 8 rounds
LEWIS CROCKER vs. JOHN THAIN
Crocker (11-0) was on the front foot as Thain (17-5) flicked out jabs on the back foot, defensively.
'The Croc' landed an awesome three punch combo in the second which culminated in a heavy right hand to Thain's face.
Not much to report in the third, as the pair played cat and mouse. Crocker landed a good right hook to the body.
23-year-old Crocker was poised and patient throughout, showing a maturity and confidence beyond his years against a British title contender.
Edinburgh's Thain was handed his fifth defeat by the Belfast boxer, as the rising welterweight claimed a points victory, scored by referee Paul McCullagh at 79-73.
Crocker:“I nearly got the stoppage but John was very durable. He’s a former British title challenger so it’s a good win and I enjoyed every minute of it.
“This is my year and I’m looking forward to what 2020 brings. I’m just looking forward to getting out next and putting on another performance.”
Bout 8
BUI Irish lightweight title, 10 rounds
GARY CULLY vs. JOE FITZPATRICK
Cully (10-0) floored Fitzgerald (10-1) early then forced the stoppage at with just 1:23 seconds remaining in the first. It was a very frenzied fight that was thoroughly exciting for the very little time it lasted.
This is what happens when you put two ambitious, young, unbeaten fighters together and it should happen much more often. The fight was fantastic and the atmosphere in the Ulster Hall raised the roof with the fireworks these two warriors produced in the ring.
Back to the drawing board for the 25-year-old 'Dragon' Fitzpatrick from Belfast, and onwards and upwards for 'The Diva' Cully who became the Irish lightweight champion with the win. 10 wins, five KOs and a first professional title, this 24-year-old southpaw is one to watch.
Cully: “I was preparing for a tough 10 rounds and thought if the stoppage came it would be late, but the shot presented itself in the first round.
“I know I have knockout power in both hands and I think he underestimated my power. I believe this is my time. I have belief in myself and my coach Pete Taylor and I’m really happy with the win.”
Bout 9
Super-lightweight, 10 rounds
SEAN MCCOMB vs. MAURO MAXIMILIANO GODOY
Southpaw Sean McComb was impressive throughout the fight and landed swift shots with ease.
At the end of the fourth stanza, he unleashed a flurry on Godoy.
During the fifth, he hunted Godoy down, landing to body and head.
In the sixth stanza, he ended the round with a sensational left hook. He was accurate and patient all the way through the fight and it paid off as the Argentinian wouldn't come out for the seventh round, citing a problem with his jaw on his right side.
McComb:“I thought it was a good performance, and it’s something we’ve worked on over the course of eight weeks with my trainer Danny Vaughan.
“In my last fight I was a bit relentless and careless, so we went back in the gym and worked on things and I think it came into play against Godoy.”
The #MTKFightNight action continues later this month when they head to Newcastle, while the exciting #GoldenContract semi-finals also takes place, with Ohara Davies, Tyrone McKenna, Mohamed Mimoune, Jeff Ofori, Ryan Walsh, Tyrone McKenna, James Dickens and Leigh Wood all involved.
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