Burns and Groves shine on Boxnation

05.11.11

by @livefight

28-year old Coatsbridge battler Ricky Burns produced the goods tonight that nobody believed he had in a controlled and professional performance at Wembley Arena to dethrone Aussie Michael Katsidis on points to win the WBO interim lightweight title. The scores were 117-112, 117-111, 117-111.

Working behind a tight guard and a slick jab, Burns frustrated and outboxed the crowd favourite and looked fit and strong at lightweight.

Meanwhile George Groves made a thundering defence of his British Super Middleweight title, with a brutal stoppage of gutsy Paul smith in the second round.

Smith, pressuring Groves in the opener, landed a peach of a shot as the end of the first round sounded. But all that was swifty erased with a quick jab and a corkscrew right hand that swerved the glove of Smith, crunching his jaw and flooring him badly.

The brave Liverpudlian, scrambled and shaky, rose to his feet but was swiftly decked again as the referee stepped in and called it off.

Smith drops to 31-3 whilst Groves improves to 14-0 with 11 knockouts.

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