Close, but no cigar. That was the story of Liam Conroy’s bid to become the WBO’s European light-heavyweight champion.
The Cumbrian was beaten by Northern Ireland’s Steven Ward in an exciting and bloody battle for the World Boxing Organisation’s strap in Belfast.
Conroy had Ward down in the fourth round but the fight would be stopped by a bad cut to the Newtownabbey boxer’s left eye in round eight.
And because the cut had been ruled as due to an accidental head clash, it went to the scorecards of the three judges at the Ulster Hall.
All three, Preston’s Phil Edwards, Zoltan Enyedi from Hungary, and Romania’s Mihai Leu, had Ward 76-75 in front, giving victory to the 29-year-old.
It was hard luck on Conroy, who was still very much in contention for glory with two rounds to go on this entertaining MTK Global event which was screened live on ESPN+ and IFL TV.
But the Barrow fighter will doubtless come again as he gave further proof he belongs at the top table in the light-heavyweight division.
Ward, a noted former amateur talent, began smartly as Conroy seemed to feel his way into the first round.
However, the BAE Systems worker came alive in the second, raining in heavy punches and putting the home boxer in trouble on the ropes.
Ward survived the onslaught but it was soon apparent the Irishman had a serious cut to his left eye.
Round three was a belter with both fighters landing and it proved a tricky one to score.
But not so the fourth as Conroy’s power took effect when a peach of a left hook felled Ward.
Ward was up quickly and did well to negate Liam’s assaults for the remainder of the round and, to his credit, he came back superbly in rounds five and six.
He set a canny pace, landing with both hands on the back of a double jab and he was right back in it.
Had Conroy’s all-out aggression taken a lot of him? Possibly but Steven’s skills deserve praise and well into the seventh he looked firmly on top.
But Liam found his second wind and unleashed a furious and sustained attack at the end ope the round with Steven relieved to hear the bell.
Just like after the fourth round, Ward’s powers of recovery were very good and he started the eighth well, but midway through the session, referee Steve Gary took the home star to his corner for a look at that cut.
The fight continued but with blood still dripping Mr Gray stopped the action again near the end of the round and when there was a gentle shake of the head from the ring doctor, the contest was duly waved off.
All three officials went with Ward who sank to his knees in triumph (pictured), but Conroy will be back. This would make a cracking re-match.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: MTK Global
