In front of a thrilled home crowd, British boxer Ellis Zorro successfully defended his WBO European Cruiserweight title in London. The 31-year-old secured a unanimous points victory against Italian challenger Luca D’Ortenzi. Zorro’s victory was a result of his remarkable work rate throughout the match, as all three judges on the scorecards awarded him the win. However, it’s worth noting that Zorro sustained an injury to his nose during the third round and will require a subsequent operation.
Ellis Zorro retained his WBO European Cruiserweight title with a unanimous points victory over Italian opponent Luca D’Ortenzi.
Zorro was awarded the fights on all three scorecards 96-94, 97-93 and a lopsided 98-92.
Zorro began stronger mixing jabs with body shots, but D’Ortenzi grew more confidence in the middle rounds landing his left hook with regularity and forcing the Lewisham man onto the back foot.
Both landed shots in the closing rounds but Zorro’s superior work-rate proved the difference and ensures he can look onwards to meeting one of the glut of quality British cruiserweights in 2024.
Next though, he will have a nose operation after re-injuring it in the third round.
Zorro’s record improves to 17-0 (7 KOs), while D’Ortenzi is now 17-4 (4 KOs).
The fight of the night was between two unbeaten super welterweights as Joshua Frankham (now 9-0, 2 KOs) edged George Davey (8-1-1) by the narrowest of margins, winning 76-75 over eight rounds.
It was a battle between Frankham’s pressure flurries and Davey’s slick jab and reflexes, but just as the former was getting on top he was caught by a counter in the sixth round forcing him to touch down with his glove.
It would come down to the last round when Frankham’s indomitable will saw him win the round and the fight.
Chris Bourke (13-1-1, 7 KOs) impressed winning the opening bout stopping Adam Mbega (11-4-1, 8 KOs) in the fourth round of their super bantamweight contest earning praise from promoter Frank Warren in the process.
Masood Abdullah (9-0, 6 KOs) stopped former British champion Marc Leach (18-3-1) n their super featherweight contest. It was a good test for the unbeaten fighter who was naturally bigger and his pressure and strength wore down the veteran who was having his first contest in 16 months.
Elsewhere, Karl Itauma (11-1, 7 KOs) continued his recovery from his first loss in January from this year with a clear points victory over Dmytro Fedas. The overmatched Ukrainian (8-4-2) did well to last the distance as Itauma increasingly dominated the fight as it went on.
Carl Fail (10-0, 3 KOs) endured a challenging evening, despite securing a clear points victory, in his match against journeyman Angel Emilov. Throughout the contest, Emilov managed to consistently narrow the distance and pose difficulties for the undefeated super welterweight.
