Boxing News: Many of the 6,500 crammed into the King's Hall would have hoped for a night of joy for Belfast's Eamonn Magee. But the 34-year-old southpaw, who has made an extraordinary recovery from a street attack two years ago, looked a shadow of his old self as he lost a majority points decision to the Margate-based Mehrdud Takaloo and surrendered the World Boxing Union welterweight title.
Takaloo (30), took the verdict after a dull contest with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114.
Magee demanded a rematch, claiming his opponent had not wanted a proper fight, but the counter-punching Irishman had few answers when it became apparent Takaloo would not play into his hands with all-out aggression. Magee may now have few lucrative options in a sport which has been his professional life for 11 years.
Takaloo said: "I was a WBU light-middleweight champion and when I lost my title there were plenty who thought that I was finished. I just wish that I had fought as a welterweight years ago. I feel as though I can move on from here to win a major world title."
Danny Williams, the Commonwealth heavyweight champion, beat Adnan Serin, who retired after three rounds because of an eye injury.
In Los Angeles, Marco Antonio Barrera beat Rocky Juarez of Texas to retain the WBC super-featherweight title. The fight was declared a draw, but 15 minutes later it was revealed that the scorecards had been incorrectly tallied and the Mexican had won by split decision.
