Scott Quigg-Rendall Munroe: clash of heads means fight ends in draw

Image caption, Clash of heads ends title fight

The WBA interim super-bantamweight title fight between Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe ended in a disappointing technical draw on Saturday.

A clash of heads in the third round of the much-anticipated clash left Munroe with a deep cut above his right eye.

That gave referee Howard Foster little option but to end the contest early, as the scorecards can only be consulted after four completed rounds.

A rematch is expected to be arranged at a later date.

With an unbeaten 24-fight record, British champion Quigg entered the ring as favourite.

However, Munroe was aggressive from the outset and landed a uppercut on Quigg in the opening round.

Quigg immediately improved and battled back to have the better of the second, suggesting an enticing contest was set to unfold at Manchester Velodrome.

However, in the third round, as both boxers threw right hands a clash of heads resulted, and with blood pouring from Munroe's head the fight was stopped.

In the evening's main support fight, Ryan Rhodes failed to reclaim his European light-middleweight title after losing to Sergey Rabchenko.

The 35-year-old from Sheffield was knocked out in the seventh round by Belarusian Rabchenko, who is coached by Ricky Hatton.

Rabchenko's perfect record increases to 21 professional victories, while Rhodes drops to 46-6.