Shirebrook Leisure Centre was the venue as Francy Luhozo (7-1) clinched the vacant WBF Silver Welterweight Championship with a sixth-round stoppage of Sagar Narwat (15-2-1), writes Rob Callum Roe.

The bout, hailed as a potential contender for the British & Irish Boxing Authority Fight of the Year, was a display of relentless aggression and strategic boxing.

The weigh-in on the eve of the fight saw Narwat narrowly miss the 147-pound limit, scaling 148.3 lbs, which rendered him ineligible to win the title despite participating in the bout.

This did not deter Narwat, who displayed commendable resilience and skill throughout the match.

Fight Summary:

Round 1: The fight commenced with Luhozo aggressively taking the centre of the ring, attempting to overwhelm Narwat with a barrage of punches. Narwat, however, showcased his ring craft by evading and countering effectively, setting the tone for a competitive bout.

Round 2: Both fighters eased the initial frantic pace, finding success with their respective strategies. Luhozo worked behind a solid jab and targeted the body with uppercuts, while Narwat settled into the fight, landing effective counters and body shots.

Round 3: The intensity remained high as both fighters exchanged significant blows. Luhozo’s straight shots caused noticeable damage to Narwat’s nose, marking a turning point in the contest.

Rounds 4 and 5: The battle continued fiercely, with neither fighter giving an inch. The crowd, dominated by Luhozo’s supporters from Birmingham, roared with excitement. Both fighters adjusted their tactics, showcasing their ability to adapt and find new openings.

Round 6: Luhozo’s sustained pressure and heavy shots further damaged Narwat’s already injured nose. At 2 minutes and 13 seconds into the round, Narwat’s corner signaled to the referee, Ian John-Lewis, to stop the fight due to the severity of the nose injury.

Post-Fight:

Despite the official scorecard showing a dominant 50-45 in favour of Luhozo, the rounds were closely contested, reflecting the intense effort from both fighters. After some medical attention, both fighters displayed mutual respect, sharing a private moment in the medical room, underscoring the sportsmanship and camaraderie in the sport.