More title heartache for super-middleweight

Islington’s John Ryder lost on a split decision to Rocky Fielding in their vacant British super-middleweight title contest at Liverpool’s Echo Arena at the weekend.

Fielding had a height and reach advantage and was fighting in his home city on Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promotion, but Ryder began well and cut down the distance between the two combatants.

Ryder put Fielding on to the back foot and forced him up against the ropes, but when both boxers were in the centre of the ring, he was getting caught by his opponent’s left jab.

Once the Islington boxer managed to back his rival up, he landed his southpaw on target with right and left hooks and uppercuts and did well in clinches as he came close to turning the contest in his favour with outstanding ninth and tenth rounds.

It was hard to tell who was about to be awarded the verdict at the bell, but judge Harold Foster scored it 116-113 to Fielding, while Michael Alexander had it 115-114 to Ryder.

Bob Williams gave it 115-114 to Fielding, though, and he claimed the belt to leave Ryder downbeat again.

n Former Islington amateur Daniel Dubois punched too hard for Cameroon Olympian Blaise Mendouo in their heavyweight clash on the Queensberry Promotion at the Leicester Arena.

Dubois came out of his corner looking for openings to land his left jab towards the end of the first round, with a combination of punches putting his opponent down on the canvas.

Round two saw Dubois opening up with two-fisted attacks to the head and body of Mendouo, backing him up against the ropes and leaving him in enough trohble for referee Shaun Messer to step in and call halt after just 48 seconds.