Interesting Eurosport Show tonight from Portugal - featuring two British fighters and an interesting Witter interview.
First up was Lee Noble, the Middleweight who ran George Hillyard close not so long ago. Well he ended a bit of a losing run - with a 4th round (end of 3rd) round stoppage of the ancient, but tough, William Ruiz - alledgely 40 looks older. Lee was in control throughout and was just to quick. Ruiz pulled out at the end of the third - citing some shoulder damage... don't think it was a dislocation but seemed a legitimate problem.
Next was the turn of the 38 year old, comebacking former British Welterweight champion, Chris Saunders. Saunders looked in great shape in the scheduled 6 round Welterweight limit. However, he came up against a younger fresher opponent with some ability in Frank Shabani. The undefeated 25 year old German was always in control and really impressed me with his combinations. He floored Saunders in the 3rd and his corner compassionately pulled him out before the start of the 4th. Saunders tried, but ultimately too old for the German - who might just be one to watch.
TERRIBLE decision in the main event, which was an excellent contest between Antonio Bento and Zsolt Nagy. There was some close rounds in a very decent affair, but I agreed with the views of messers Holdsworth and Mee, I thought Nagy won the fight. The judges, unsurprisingly I unfortunately must add, gave it to Bento by some distance (one gave it 99-91).
Junior Witter was ringside supporting the lads on. He was briefly interviewed. Said he would like to fight in the New Year and then have a big one in the summer. He also mentioned, for the first time, a desire to move up and challenge the big boys at 147 - interesting stuff there.