Josh Warrington vs Carl Frampton: IBF champion retains title as Frampton ponders retirement
Follow latest reaction from the Manchester Arena
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Josh Warrington defeated Carl Frampton in one of the fights of the year, retaining his IBF featherweight championship and sending him on to greater things in an attempt to unify the division.
Leeds-born Warrington exploded out of the blocks in the very first round and nearly knocked Frampton down, with the former two-weight world champion only just surviving to the bell and suffering the same barrage in the second. Frampton recovered to make a fight of it in a scrap that developed into a classic, but Warrington proved a class above throughout and again nearly finished it in the 12th.
Re-live all the action here.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
Preview
When and where is the fight?
The bout will take place on December 22nd at the Manchester Arena, it was initially set to take place in a stadium but concerns over dates and mandatory challengers meant Warren settled with selecting an arena.
Ring walks will take place around 10pm but as always is the way with boxing, that is subject to change.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BT Sport Box Office, the broadcaster's second pay-per-view event of December following on from Deontay Wilder's world heavyweight title defence against Tyson Fury.
The cost of the box office event has yet to be announced but will likely be £19.95.
Can I stream online?
The fight will be shown on the BT Sport Box Office website and via the BT Sport Box Office app.
Who's going to win?
Josh Warrington 15/8
Carl Frampton 8/15
Draw 20/1
Conlan vs CunninghamRound seven: The one-point deduction doesn't really hurt Conlan too much as he's five rounds ahead regardless. Conlan enjoys a dominating round and while Cunningham is still looking to fight back, he doesn't seem to be hurting Conlan in the slightest. Conlan lands a nice right hand right on the bell.
Conlan vs CunninghamRound eight: Cunningham starts off with a nice left hook but Conlan responds with a right that fires back with interest. You get the idea that this bout might explode into life at any moment if Conlan decides to hit the gas, but at the moment he's content to shoot in and out...until the final 10 seconds when Conlan hurts Cunnungham! About 10 punches land unanswered that wobbles Cunningham before the bell.
Conlan vs CunninghamRound nine: Can Conlan keep his foot on the gas and capitalise on that strong finish in the eighth? He starts off well through the first minute, and Cunningham definitely looks to be feeling the pace of the fight now.
Conlan vs CunninghamRound ten: Into the tenth and final round and Conlan is well ahead on the scorecards. Cunningham knows he has to go for it and he does, and he lands on Conlan that wobbles him, but Conlan responds in turn and has Cunningham badly hurt! Can he make the final bell? Conlan goes for the finish and Cunningham is out on his feet, but he sees out the final bell and what a great finish that was!
Conlan vs CunninghamMichael Conlan beats Jason Cunningham by unanimous decision 97-92, 97-92, 98-92
Michael Conlan on his way to a unanimous victory over Jason Cunningham
The Independent's Steve Bunce on Conlan's performance:
That's the dream fight you want after nearly two years as a professional.
Next up it's a familiar face in Martin Murray as the three-time world championship challenger takes on Hassan N'Dam, a dangerous former world champion at middleweight with a 36-3 record.
Murray vs N'DamRound one: A cagey start from both as N'Dam looks for success with body shots, though little that troubles Murray. That probably just fell in Murray's favour.
Murray vs N'DamRound two: A good round for N'Dam as he lands a heavy body shot to the torso of Murray, who feels it and talks back to him in response. Murray needs to get control of this fight back in his hands as N'Dam has been elusive on the outside yet the main aggressor, and that was a convincing round for the Cameronn-born Frenchman.
Murray vs N'DamRound three: Murray looks a little bit nervous, perhaps wary of what N'Dam can do on the counter, and he currently seems unwilling to go for it just yet until he's worked out where N'Dam's strengths are. However, it's costing him at the moment and that's probably another one for N'Dam.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments