Germany's Abass Baraou outpointed England's Macaulay McGowan on Friday at Bolton Whites Hotel in Lancashire, U.K., gaining a wide unanimous decision win to defend his European junior middleweight title.

Barou (16-1, 9 KOs) came out ahead on all three judges scorecards (117-111, 119-110 and 118-110) in the 12-round bout. McGowan fell to 20-5-2 (5 KOs).

The scores awarded the right winner but, given McGowan's sterling effort, perhaps paint the loser in a poor light. The Manchester challenger gave his all, particularly in the early rounds, but the class of Baraou was ultimately definitive.