KID GALAHAD is right back on bitter Yorkshire rival Josh Warrington’s case after winning a final eliminator to face the Leeds icon again.
The Sheffield star only lost a wafer-thin split decision against the Leeds Warrior in June.
Kid Galahad strolled to victory over Claudio MerreroCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
But the IBF felt the fight was so close they ordered the 29-year-old into an immediate qualifier against Claudio Marrero that he cruised through on Saturday night.
The bad blood between Galahad and Warrington has continued to bubble and the challenger insists the champ is still having nightmares about their meeting and the potential return.
And the pair are on collision course again after Galahad boxed the visitor’s head off over eight one-sided rounds before Marrero was pulled out by his concerned corner.
Galahad said: “I’m over the moon, I knew I had to bring my A-game, he could do everything.
“After last time against Warrington, I couldn’t leave anything to the judges.”
The hometown hero made a strong start, switching levels and making the visitor miss with trademark footwork.
The Dominic Ingle-trained ace is a nightmare opponent for any featherweight and Marrero, nicknamed The Matrix, never looked like figuring him out.
The Sheffield star set up a meeting with Yorkshire rival Josh Warrington with the winCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Marrero, 30, was verbally warned for roughhouse antics in the second and responded with a series of lunging haymakers that had plenty of malice but little accuracy.
Later in the session, Galahad’s neater punches were quietly finding their target and scoring with the judges.
Galahad’s combinations were particularly crisp in the third and Marrero, like so many of his previous opponents, seemed to grow tired of punching air.
In the fifth, Marrero got so sick of swatting shadows, he bizarrely held on to the ropes and tried to fling out southpaw jabs from there, referee Howard Foster had to step in to end the brief farce.
Galahad was doubling and trebling his jabs, from both stances, as the session ticked on, Marrero’s face was starting to show signs of prolonged punishment.
Galahad’s best round was the seventh, when Marrero looked out on his feet after shipping close to a dozen pinpoint punches.
Middleweight gym-mate Liam Williams was on his feet at ringside, willing his pal on to earn the 16th stoppage of his career.
And, by the end of the eighth, Marrero’s face was a blur of blood, sweat and snot and his corner wisely pulled him out before he suffered any more damage.
Warrington is preparing for a Spring defence of his crown but then he will then have his old enemy banging the door down for a grudge rematch.
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
