There was disappointment for Inishowen boxer Michael ‘Owen’ McLaughlin as he was beaten by Danny O’Connor in a war of attrition in Boston last night.
O’Connor reclaimed the New England welterweight crown and also took home the Celtic Nations title after a gruelling win over McLaughlin, whose record drops to 12-2-1.
The two southpaws were engaged in a big battle at the House of Blues on the St Patrick’s Clash 2 card, hosted by Murphy’s Boxing.
McLaughlin gave as good as he got for a good portion of the contest.
O’Connor was rocked in the sixth by McLaughlin, but O’Connor had done his work before then and was on his way to what was a deserved win.
In the seventh round, O’Connor had McLaughlin under pressure, but the Donegal puncher still hit back.
O’Connor felt a crunching shot at the beginning of the eighth round as McLaughlin, knowing he needed stoppage, went for the kill, but it was O’Connor who took the verdict. One judge scored it a 76-76 draw, but the other two were 79-72 in favour of O’Connor.
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