In one of the headlining bouts of a show promoted by Platinum Punch Promotions in association with Box Office Sports Promotions, Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) intercontinental bantamweight champion, Martin Hillman successfully defended his title for the first time on Tuesday night, March 5.
In front of a crowd of several thousands, including Ghanaian all-time-great Azumah Nelson, at the iconic Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana, Hillman fended off the game challenge of hard-punching Tanzanian challenger, Baraka Mchongi.
Hillman was in control early on, neutralising the danger Mchongi brought to the table, mainly a sharp uppercut, by jabbing nicely to keep him at bay, following up with right hands and effectively avoiding most counter-attacks with good movement.
Mchongi, who had won five straight going in, had good moments, especially in the second half of the fight, where he was pressing the action and appeared to unsettle Hillman, but the champion showed resolve and discipline and was never in big danger.
seeThe challenger went all out in the tenth and final round, forcing Hillman on the back-foot as he attempted to find the knockout-punch he needed, but, while he did momentarily rattle the Brit with a hard left hook, it was not to be.
All three judges scored the fight in favour of Hillman: 96-94, 96-94 and 98-94, improving the London-man´s professional record to 17-7 (2). Mchongi, who proved that he deserved to be in the fight despite a mediocre record, falls to 7-7 (7).
Fighting outside his native United Kingdom for the first time, Hillman had support in the arena from the local supporters of his favourite football club West Ham, as “The Ghanaian Hammers” had turned up in force to root for him.
Credit: UBO
