Smith vs Fowler highlights and results: Troy Williamson knocks out Ted Cheeseman in stunning fight, Jamie Mitchell wins WBA title

Troy Williamson scored a highlight reel knockout to end a brutal war with Ted Cheeseman, staying undefeated and taking the British junior middleweight title in the 10th round in Liverpool.

Williamson (17-0-1, 13 KO) and Cheeseman (17-3-1, 10 KO) went back-and-forth in a true battle, with plenty of good shots landing for both men. Both were rattled and rocked a bit, with Williamson seeming to have an early advantage, only for Cheeseman to roar his way back into the fight.

After eight rounds, the fight was even on our unofficial card, and couldn’t have been much off on any card, really. But Williamson answered a big eighth round from Cheeseman with a strong ninth, and then took the fight right to Cheeseman in round 10.

Williamson landed a monster left hand after a hard right uppercut, rocking Cheeseman’s head around and putting him down. The referee immediately stopped the fight, which was the right call, and the towel flew in from Ted’s corner, too. Cheeseman would have had no business continuing even if he’d gotten up — and it seemed he was going to beat the count somehow.

“It was a very tough fight,” Williamson said. “We knew exactly how tough it was going to be. I worked me ass off in the gym. I showed everyone how tough I am tonight. I’ve come up the hard way, and now everybody knows what Troy Williamson’s all about.”

It’s obviously a huge win for Williamson, and while a big setback for Cheeseman, he once again delivered an outstanding fight and gave everyone their money’s worth and then some, as did Williamson. This was a fantastic fight, and if you missed it, watch it.

Peter McGrail PTS-6 Ed Harrison

A successful pro debut for Liverpool’s McGrail, who fought at Tokyo 2020 and was a decorated amateur overall, a very promising prospect. There will probably be a bit of discussion about him not finishing an over-matched if game Harrison (2-9, 0 KO), but we’ll see more going forward.

The crowd loved McGrail, obviously, who figures to settle in at 122 or 126 as he moves forward, this one fought at a 128 catchweight. The skills are there, and he has a pro approach, but different little things will need to be worked on. He’s got the inside track to a big career, let’s see what he does with it.

Jamie Mitchell MD-10 Shannon Courtenay

This was scored close on two cards, one of them even at 95-95 and the other 96-94 for Mitchell, but the 97-93 card for Mitchell was much more in line with reality. Bad Left Hook had it 98-92 for Mitchell, who now has the WBA bantamweight world title.

Mitchell (7-0-2, 4 KO) was just the better fighter here. Courtenay (7-2, 3 KO) missed weight on Friday and lost her belt there, and she was also sporting a big knee brace on her right leg in this fight, and didn’t look quite her normal, energetic self for one reason or both or those and some others. But she showed her usual determination, including a huge push in the eighth round.

But it was too late, really. Mitchell, 36, was just the better boxer in this one, much more consistent attack, and she had great success when on the front foot. Courtenay tried to lead the action some, too, but Mitchell stayed out of the pocket, and Courtenay’s best work was really with her counters more often than not, but it just wasn’t enough.

It’s been a tough week for Courtenay and ultimately ends about as poorly as it could have, but no matter what, expect her to come back. She’s a tough, hard-nosed fighter.

“A belt doesn’t make me, but it shows you guys who I am,” Mitchell said. “I hope I gained some more followers.”

“I thought I won the fight. I landed the much heavier shots,” Courtenay said. “I don’t see how I lost that fight but I have to pay respect to her, she’s now world champion.”

Courtenay noted that she does have a rematch clause, which Mitchell said she’d take, even though Mitchell felt a little disrespected despite Courtenay saying she respected her.

Kieron Conway UD-10 JJ Metcalf

A close fight, but the judges got this one right, in my view, scoring it 96-94, 96-95, and 96-95 for Conway. Bad Left Hook had it 96-94 for Conway on the unofficial card.

Conway (17-2-1, 3 KO) had the clearer rounds in this one, and while Metcalf (21-2, 13 KO) certainly battled and hung around all the way, he never really seemed to have the true advantage or momentum in the fight. Conway came out with a couple of pretty good rounds, Metcalf kept it close, Conway had a couple clear rounds, Metcalf kept it close — it was that type of fight, and in the end Conway had just kept the edge enough, using his distance well and keeping Metcalf from engaging in close the way he wanted.

It’s a result where Metcalf, 33, will probably be kicking himself, feeling he could have won this fight if he’d pushed the pace a little more and a little sooner, but you have to credit the 25-year-old Conway for keeping him from doing just that, too. Conway will remain right in top contention at 154 lbs on the domestic scene, while Metcalf loses his second straight.

Early Results

• Luke Willis MD-10 Rylan Charlton (95-95, 95-94, 95-94)
• Solomon Dacres PTS-8 Kamil Sokolowski (78-74)
• Robbie Davies Jr TKO-4 Jonny Phillips (2:28)
• Blaine Hyland PTS-4 Santiago San Eusebio (39-37)