OWN CORRESPONDENT, Glasgow | Sunday 8.00pm.
CASSIUS Baloyi successfully defended his World Boxing Union Featherweight world title in Glasgow on Saturday night in an impressive fashion. Challenger Brian Carr failed to come out for the tenth round after receiving extensive punishment in rounds eight and nine.
“This is a warm-up for Hamed.” said Baloyi before the fight. Afterwards the seemingly untouched Baloyi stated; “I’m ready for the big guys. I want to fight the other world champions in the division.”
It was guts alone that kept the brave Scotsman on his feet in the last two rounds.
Although Baloyi had a considerable height and reach advantage over Carr, he chose to fight the challenger on the inside and continually beat him to the punch.
Under guidance of new trainer Brian Mitchell, Baloyi displayed a more attacking style than seen in his previous outings. Carr desperately wanted to take Baloyi’s title and to his credit never gave up, even though he was outgunned by the champion in all departments.
Baloyi was too quick and accurate with his razor sharp uppercuts and jabs. In the eighth round he bombarded Carr with powerful shots to the head which completely bloodied and closed his left eye. In the ninth it was more of the same and it became very apparent that if the valiant challenger were to continue he would just be receiving unnecessary punishment.