Alan Minter vs. Gratien Tonna (2nd meeting)

Alan Minter 160 lbs beat Gratien Tonna 159 lbs by RTD in round 6 of 15

• Date: 1978-11-07
• Location: Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Robert Desgain

"Alan Minter of Great Britain retained his European middleweight title Tuesday night when he stopped French challenger Gratien Tonna at the end of the 6th round of their scheduled 15 round fight. Minter, whose combinations left Tonna's face a puffy red mask, took command in the 4th round. The Frenchman, boring in with his head down and throwing roundhouse punches, was an easy target for the classic left-handed style of Minter. In the 3rd round, Tonna was knocked down following a left-right combination from Minter. Tonna tried to carry the fight at close range but could not get inside Minter's lancing lefts and right crosses, which brought a cut over Tonna's right eye and a swelling of the left. The Frenchman also bled from the nose."

• This win avenged Minter's 8th round stoppage loss to Tonna for the European title. The EBU ordered Tonna to give Minter a rematch and he refused, thus he was stripped of his title. Minter subsequently won the vacant title against Angelo Jacopucci and then defended against Tonna.

Post fight comment

• "I was getting in some fantastic shots, but everytime I thought I had Tonna, he was still standing right there." -Alan Minter