Warrington beats Amagasa in hard-fought battle
Josh Warrington (23-0, 4 KOs) defeated Hisashi Amagasa (30-6-2, 20 KOs) by a unanimous decision on Saturday night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Warrington won by scores of 117-111, 118-111, and a ridiculous 120-107.
The local man scored with his jabs early on, finding plenty of gaps in the rangy Amagasa's guard. He moved in and out and unloaded shots as he controlled the opening three rounds.
But the much taller Japanese switch-hitter Amagasa, best known for dropping Guillermo Rigondeaux twice before he was stopped in the 11th round 16 months ago, appeared to win many of the middle rounds landing frequently with his wide and wild hooks.
However, Warrington finished strong as he landed to head and body, and Amagasa was bleeding heavily from a cut over his right eye.
"I got drawn into a fight," said Warrington. "I've always been one of those who likes to go to the trenches. I stand there a little too long but I thought I was hurting him."
With the win, Warrington retained his WBC International featherweight title.
Also on the card, former world champion Stuart Hall (20-4-2, 7 KOs) outpointed Mexico's Rodrigo Guerrero (24-6-1, 16 KOs) in an IBF bantamweight title final eliminator.
Hall jabbed and countered early as the visitor charged in. Guerrero was cut over the right eye from an accidental clash of heads in the third round.
As the fight progressed, both exchanged punches but the Darlington man landed the cleaner more accurate shots and won by scores of 117-111 on all three of the judges scorecards.
The victory earns Hall the chance to regain the IBF belt and fight titleholder and countryman Lee Haskins, who beat him by a unanimous decision four years ago.