By Alexey Sukachev

It wasn't pretty but in the end it didn't matter much for undefeated Commonwealth welterweight champion Denton Vassell (17-0, 9 KOs), who retained his title in a frenetic but also a chaotic collision with previously unbeaten Namibian spoiler-turned-stylist Bethuel Ushona (23-1, 8 KOs). All three judges saw this pitch battle in favor of the local fighter with somewhat wide scores: 117-113 (Steve Gray), 117-112 (Dave Parris) and 118-111 (Phil Edwards). BoxingScene, on the other hand, had it even 105-105 before the twelfth and final round, which was a better stanza for Vassell thus resulting in a 115-114 - in Brit's favor on the BScene scorecard.

WBO #10 Ushona, who was fighting outside of his native continent for the second time in his career, is a tricky and highly elusive switch-hitter who bobbed and weaved for the majority of the fight. The Namibian fighter was doing his job exceptionally well in the starting rounds but the more aggressive champion got better down the stretch with harder blows to the body. Ushona, however, fought this bout to the end, was never wobbled or rocked and did his share of damage with light but multiple and clean right hands. It was a good tactical affair but it was Vassell who did more to clinch the decision in a very close fight.

----------------------

In a fight between two tall and rangy unbeaten cruiserweights, Matty Askin (10-0, 6 KOs) put an end to Neil Dawson's comeback with an entertaining sixth-round stoppage. Dawson (9-1, 3 KOs) was fighting for the second time after a five-year long lay-off and it showed as he was just too rusty and too unconcentrated to give onrushing Askin any fits. Both fighters were landing big punches but it was Askin who connected with the harder, flashier blows.

The end came at 2:48 of the sixth round after another couple of hard clubbing shots by Askin which had Dawson on queer street along the ropes Referee Mark Alexander wisely stepped in and waved the contest off. Askin is now the BBBofC Central Area cruiserweight beltholder.

----------------------