• Scott Quigg v Rendall Munroe

Accidental cut sees Quigg v Munroe end in a draw

ESPN staff
June 16, 2012
Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe settled for a technical draw after the latter suffered a nasty cut © PA Photos
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The highly anticipated fight between Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe for the WBA interim super-bantamweight title ended in disappointing circumstances on Saturday after a cut stopped the bout in the third round.

An accidental clash of heads opened a huge gash above Munroe's right eye, resulting in a technical draw after 43 seconds of the third stanza. Munroe's frustration was obvious, but the encounter simply could not go on with his eyebrow completely split.

All in attendance shared his dissatisfaction though after the stoppage arrived just when the fight was showing signs of becoming a classic. Munroe had taken the first round before Quigg claimed the second, so the night's action revealed little as to who is the best super-bantamweight in Britain.

Quigg had entered the ring as favourite, boasting an unbeaten 24-fight record and coming off a superb seven-round hammering of Jason Booth. He still has question marks over his chin, having been dropped in the past, but he appears to be improving with every fight.

There was a nervous look about Quigg, though, as he waited for the opening bell, and it translated to his boxing as Munroe emerged from his corner as the aggressor. Boxing out of his southpaw stance, Munroe landed a thudding lead uppercut and certainly did enough to take the opening stanza.

Quigg improved his work greatly in the second, landing a huge right hand and picking his man off as he grew in confidence. However, as they started the third, both men threw simultaneously - leading to the collision of heads - and Munroe was pouring with blood when the doctor stopped the fight.

"There were two warriors out there, I wasn't even warmed up yet, but that's how the game goes," Munroe said on Sky Sports. "I'm frustrated I can't take a belt home for my kids, it's Father's Day tomorrow.

"I haven't seen the cut yet but I can see the grimaces on people's faces. I'm fine though, if he wants to go and complete the 12 rounds I'm up for that. Obviously the doctor said it can't be done."

Quigg added: "We were both coming to throw and the heads clashed. That's boxing. Everything was going to plan, I was making him miss, using my feet, wasn't get hit at all, I had a perfect camp."

Promoter Ricky Hatton said the fight would happen again in the future, confirming: "It's got to be a rematch. Looking at Rendall's cut, that's horrendous. But it's a rematch, we want to find out who's the best in Britain."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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