“King” Callum Walsh posted a near shutout against previously unbeaten Fernando Vargas Jr. in their 10-round junior middleweight scrap in Las Vegas last Saturday to remain undefeated himself and boost his world title hopes.
In Belfast hours earlier, hometown hero Lewis Crocker dropped Paddy Donovan twice in their eagerly anticipated rematch to bag the IBF world welterweight title on a split points decision.
KING REIGNS
At the sold-out 70,000-plus capacity Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, one judge had Walsh winning all 10 rounds [100-90] while the other two officials scored it 99-91, or nine rounds to one in the Corkman’s favor, in the co-main event to the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford super middleweight blockbuster won by the latter.
More than 41 million viewers worldwide watched the fisticuffs, according to streaming service Netflix.
With the win, Walsh, who’s ranked #4 by the IBF, #5 by the WBC, #14 by the WBO, upped his ledger to 15-0 [11 KOs]. Vargas, the son of former junior middleweight world champion Fernando Sr., slipped to 17-1 [15 KOs]. There were no knockdowns.
Although delighted by another victory, Walsh was hardly pleased by his performance.
“I'm feeling very good, to beat a tough, undefeated fighter [but] I'm a bit disappointed with the performance,” the 24-year-old told UFC.Com in a post-fight interview. “I just felt like I couldn't get off. I felt like I could have been better, performed better.”
Still, he described it as a good experience. “I enjoyed it,” he added.
Given both fighters high stoppage percentages, it was expected to be an explosive encounter between two southpaw knockout artists. Instead, a tactical boxing match broke out which the younger – by four years – and more experienced Walsh, who started boxing at age six compared to 17 by Vargas, dominated.
Walsh alternated between aggressor and counterpuncher, both of which limited Vargas’ own offensive options. With the taller and rangier Walsh looking to counter his jabs and lead left punches, Vargas could not mount any effective attack. Then there was the added complication of Walsh’s body attack aimed at weakening the Mexican-American.
It made for a long night for Vargas who – because of his punching power -- had only gone the distance twice before facing Walsh
At any rate, the Irish prospect turned it on late. He put on a display of combination punching that Vargas absorbed in the penultimate stanza. And after Vargas had gone for broke in 10th and final round, pummeled his exhausted opponent to no end in search of a late knockout.
Bookies had Walsh a 4-1 favorite going into the fight and although the result validated that, the winner had props for Vargas.
“Taking nothing away from my opponent, I was fighting a guy who was 17-0 with 15 knockouts,” Walsh said. “He wasn’t just some scrub from the side of the road, you know, but I was happy and I think the crowd enjoyed it. I think it was a good fight.”
On what next, Walsh, who holds the regional WBC super welterweight Continental Americas title, said he’d been asked if he’d like to fight again in November and he’d accepted.
CROCKER CROWNED
Lewis Crocker made history when he was crowned IBF world welterweight champion after edging a nail-biting rematch with Paddy Donovan at a packed Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
The Belfastman slumped to his knees when he was announced winner of the first all-Irish world title match on a split decision. He won by scores of 114-113 and 114-112 on two cards, while the third official had Donovan winning 115-111.
In the final analysis, the two knockdowns Crocker scored in the third and fifth rounds were the difference.
Donovan, who was controversially disqualified in defeat during the pair's first encounter, did well to rally and the bout was closely contested in a frantic finish.
But Crocker – the underdog in the eyes of many going into the fight – had ultimately done enough to beat the silky southpaw Donovan.
"A lot of people gave my stick after the first fight (against Donovan)," he said.
Crocker dedicated the victory to his parents. "This belt belongs to my parents. They got me to where I am today. This belt belongs to them as much as me. I owe them everything and I am so grateful.”
