Impressive Macklin outpoints Campas

Irish middleweight champion Matthew Macklin secured an impressive points victory over the durable Luis Ramos 'Yori Boy' Campas at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

Watch Macklin v Campas

Referee Emile Tiedt scored the fight 98-95 in Macklin's favour, with the result improving his professional record to 21 wins and 2 defeats.

Macklin's left lead was the telling punch in what was an entertaining and well-contested bout, for which Campas certainly did not turn up to for a quick pay day.

The 36-year-old Mexican soaked up a large amount of punches but he also left his mark on Macklin's face.

However, the home fighter's greater accuracy and power gave him the edge in front of a vocal crowd.

Speaking after the fight, Macklin said: 'I beat him well, he took plenty of punches. It was a tough test but I won't be getting carried away. This was my first fight under (my new trainer) Buddy (McGirt), we're trying new things.

'Now we've got this one fight under our belts, I'm sure myself and Buddy will click even more. He'll get the best out of me.'

Impressed with Macklin's consistent display, McGirt, a former two weight world champion, said 'the sky is the limit' as regards how far his new charge can progress in the middleweight division.

Watched ringside by Bernard Dunne, Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton and Tipperary hurling star Eoin Kelly, Mackin, usually a slow starter, made the running in the opening round.

Three quick jabs from the former Tipp underage hurler connected with Campas' face and the needle between the fighters grew when the Mexican complained about an accidental head-butt.

Campas, the former world light middleweight champion, was fighting professionally for the 103rd time with his record before the first bell reading 91 wins (73 KOs) and 11 defeats.

Despite his advancing years, he kept on his toes throughout and his combative style and immense stamina allowed him to keep pace with his younger opponent.

But, in the second and third rounds, Macklin's jab was continuing to cause problems for Campas.

Credit to the grizzled veteran, he did well to stand his ground and also to quickly return to his corner after Macklin mistakenly hit him after the bell at the end of the fourth.

The fourth and sixth rounds were perhaps the best of the night's entertainment as both fighters went toe-to-toe and landed some ferocious punches.

Macklin's defence was rock solid although there was noticeable bruising under his left eye by the eighth round.

Campas' face was puffed up and under McGrit's orders, Macklin worked his opponent's body with some stinging jabs.

Able to move Campas around the ring and dictate the pace, Macklin stepped off the gas until a cracking tenth round.

He landed a series of combination punches that had Campas on the retreat and the crowd on their feet. The proud Mexican replied with some forceful shots of his own and both fighters threw their arms into the air when the final bell went.

The verdict, after ten pulsating rounds, went to Macklin who definitely did not look out of place as the headline act on another Brian Peters promotion in the capital.

On the undercard, Cavan man Andrew Murray scored a third round stoppage of late replacement Leonard Lothian.

The original opponent for Murray, the reigning Irish light welterweight champion, was James Gorman but he had to pull out on Friday with an ankle injury.

Cork-based Cuban heavyweight Mike Perez took his record to 3-0 (2 KOs) by gaining a six round verdict over Tomasz Zeprzalka of Poland.

There was also a points victory for Dublin cruiserweight Ian Tims, who made an impressive pro debut by seeing out Klaids Kristapson from Latvia.

Meanwhile, Ballyclare-based welterweight Willie Thompson outpointed Semens Moroshek, another Latvian, for his fifth straight win in the paid ranks.