On the under-card of the show, in Leeds, promoted by Frank Warren, was an interesting British title fight.
It matched the unbeaten Thomas Patrick Ward against James ?Jazza? Dickens.
Dickens recently, unsuccessfully, challenged Guilermo Rigondeaux for a version of the world title.
In an enthralling encounter, with both men exchanging punches, the fight was stopped in the ninth round after Ward suffered a bad cut from a head-butt.
With Ward unable to continue the fight went to the scorecards, with the verdict being,
? 87 ? 85
? 88 ? 84
? 87 ? 85
With all three judges scoring in favour of the new British super-bantamweight champion Thomas Patrick Ward.
The win moves Ward?s career record to 21-0 with 2 wins coming by way of knockout with Dickens seeing his record slip to 22-3 with 7 wins coming by way of knockout.
Ward Claims British Bantamweight Title
