Povetkin vs Rahman results: Jack Culcay beats Mark Thompson, early stoppage

Junior middleweight prospect Jack Culcay maintained his undefeated record today in Germany, beating England's Mark Thompson via fifth round TKO when referee Leszek Jakowiak jumped in far too early and halted what had been a very competitive, entertaining fight, and seemed just ready to kick into high gear.

Culcay, born in Ecuador and fighting out of Germany, was roundly booed when the official decision was announced, but it wasn't his fault - it was all for the referee, and it was deserved. Thompson (24-2, 14 KO) had fought a very good bout to that point, and led on our scorecard after four rounds, 39-37.

The road fighter did find himself on the bad side of a good rush from Culcay (13-0, 9 KO) when the fight was stopped, but he was in no danger and was defending himself, even with shots landing. He was looking for an opening, or a moment to hold, or whatever - but he should not have been stopped.

It's too bad that fans were robbed of what was becoming a really good fight, and Culcay has to know he was basically handed a win here today. Not by judges biased in his favor, but by a referee far too quick with the hook.

Our live streaming results and discussion of the Povetkin vs Rahman card continues, with the main event coming up next.

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