Belfast cruiserweight Tommy McCarthy reached a new height in his career tonight as he became EBU European champion by beating Bilal Laggoune in London.
McCarthy won by majority decision, 116-112, 116-113, 114-114, in a dogged fight that had little in the way of clean action or excitement.
The 29-year-old's career had taken two setbacks in the last 18 months with defeats to Matty Askin and Richard Riakporhe and this was seen as a must-win fight to stay in contention to progress to world level.
Laggoune, unbeaten at cruiserweight prior to this fight but just his second contest outside of his home nation Belgium, started well but faded as the rounds ticked on.
He looked sluggish with McCarthy on top for most of the first half of a bout that was difficult to score due to the low number of combinations.
Laggoune asked the referee to pause the fight briefly in the sixth round due to an eye issue and McCarthy was close to stopping his opponent. He was allowed to continue after consultation with a doctor.
Trainer Pete Taylor warned McCarthy not let the fight slip away in the latter rounds as Laggoune began to connect with more punches.
The final round saw McCarthy produce his cleanest work and Laggoune unable to summon the finish he needed.
Belgian judge Daniel Van de Wiele controversially scored the fight a draw but Mark Lyson (Britain) and Jan Christensen (Denmark) gave McCarthy the decision.
The Belfast fighter spoke of his pride at becoming the first Irish boxer of Caribbean descent to win a European belt and to do it during Black History month.
He has targeted a fight with IBF world title holder Mairis Briedis next year after a breakthrough win which was broadcast live on pay per view on Sky Sports on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk and Dereck Chisora, although he may have to make further inroads at this level to earn such an opportunity.
