• Lee Purdy v Colin Lynes

Lynes masters Purdy in Battle of Essex

Lee Purdy was handed a lesson by Colin Lynes © PA Photos

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Colin Lynes became the oldest British welterweight champion on Wednesday after he beat Lee Purdy via a majority 119-110 114-114 117-112 decision in a thrilling contest that brought the crowd to their feet at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Dubbed the Battle of Essex, Purdy went into the bout as the less experienced competitor, boasting just 19 previous fights to Lynes' 44. Lynes, the former British and European light-welterweight champion, knew he was realistically looking at his final shot at a title.

The 33-year-old had lost six of his last 10 starts, but he enjoyed much the better opening, getting rounds one and two in the bank behind an excellent jab. Showing all his experience, "Lyno" continued to slide along the ropes in the third and fourth, keeping his rival at range to further extend his authority.

Purdy eventually established a foothold in the fifth, taking advantage as Lynes temporarily slowed, but the respite was brief as Lynes landed a catalogue of left hooks in the sixth. This was classic Colin Lynes as he stuck to his trademark box-puncher style, and by the end of the seventh Purdy was shouting in the direction of his rival - more out of frustration than aggression.

Lynes continued to keep his foe largely on the outside, beating him to the punch, and as they entered the ninth the veteran had landed 50 extra punches to the stats of Purdy.

Not helping Purdy's cause was a cut above one of his eyes, caused by an accidental clash of heads, which began to open as Lynes continued his pinpoint assault. By now Lynes no longer seemed to respect his opponent's power, standing and trading with success, and Purdy hit the mat late in the 10th - claiming it was a slip as the referee registered the count.

Heading into the final stanza, Lynes had outlanded Purdy 223 punches to 138, yet he still kept pushing forward to the final bell for a quite outstanding victory, becoming the oldest British welterweight champion in the process.

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