In Birmingham last night, at the Barclaycard Arena, Matthew Macklin got the win he craved to resurrect his career, but it was a contentious decision that saw him defeat Jason Welborn.
Macklin, having dropped down a weight to fight Welborn at super-welterweight, for the vacant WBC International super-welterweight title, took a points decision that caused several pundits to raise their eyebrows in disbelief.
The official verdicts from the judges score-cards were:-
? 96-94
? 96-94
? 97-93
all in favour of Macklin, but many who saw the fight thought the under-dog, Welborn, might just have shaded it.
Perhaps the turning point in what was a close fight, came in the 5th round when Welborn caught Macklin with a low blow. Welborn was docked a point by the referee, Victor Loughlin, after Macklin seemed to spend an age down on one knew recovering.
After recovering, Macklin was then caught by a legal punch that saw him drop to one knee again, the referee didn?t rule this punch as a low-blow but also neglected to see it as a knockdown, a strange decision.
Clearly tiring, Macklin was forced to take another breather after a clash of heads and Welborn supporters will point to the two instances when Macklin, under-pressure, lost his gum-shield forcing further breaks in the action.
Was it a case of the wily, aging fighter using al his experience to earn time to recover his senses and energy?
Macklin may have gotten the win he craved but on the evidence of last night winning a world title remains a pipe-dream.
Macklin Gets the Verdict over Welborn
