Ted Cheeseman “gutted” as he retains British super-welter title on a draw – Craig Richards wins eliminator
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Ted Cheeseman retained his British super-welterweight title on Friday night after a split decision draw with Kieron Conway.
The Bermondsey boxer was looking to bounce back from losing a European title challenge against Sergio Garcia in February.
But Northampton’s Conway, who only had three weeks notice, proved tough opposition at Bethnal Green’s York Hall.
It seemed as if Cheeseman had done enough in the final rounds to get the win.
But while one judge gave him the nod 115-114, another scored it 114-114 with Conway also earning a 116-113 decision.
Cheeseman (15-1-1) was clearly disappointed at the verdict.
He said: “I’m still champion but I’m gutted.
“It would have done me a lot of good to get a good win, but it’s happened.”
Conway (12-1-1) said: “It was a good fight, it was a hard fight. Hopefully I announced myself well on the scene.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said Cheeseman would not rematch Conway as contractually he is obliged to face Scott Fitzgerald next.
“Ted has got to be better against Scott Fitzgerald,” said Hearn. “Scott had already texted me saying: ‘Let’s go’. He obviously thought Ted had won the fight.”
Crystal Palace’s Craig Richards is set to face Joshua Buatsi after winning his British light-heavyweight title eliminator against Andre Sterling on the same show.
Sterling (10-1), from New Cross, had a strong start to the fight but was knocked down in the sixth round.
Richards (15-1)was the stronger puncher and had his fellow South London in trouble again in the 11th round and won by scores of 117-111, 116-111 and 115-112.
IMAGES BY MARK ROBINSON & IAN WALTON (MATCHROOM BOXING)
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