SAM EGGINGTON goes for gold once again as he squares up with Abass Baraou for the European title – and the action is unfolding RIGHT NOW!
The Brit can win the EBU strap in a second weight division should he come out triumphant at the top of the Telford bill.
But Eggington is in trouble as Baraou’s heavy punch has cut his eye open.
- Start time: approximately 10pm GMT
- FREE live stream: My5
- TV channel: Channel 5
Follow all the action from Telford with our live blog below…
Baraou wins MD
The judges score the Telford bout: 114-114, 117-111 and 117-112.
One terrible card.
Two fine ones.
Well done Abass Baraou.
Glove story
Abass Baraou and Sam Eggington stop punching each other and hug.
Eggington grins like a Cheshire cat under a ginger beard.
Such a good boxing match that Eggington just could not control, thanks to Baraou’s freshness and enthusiasm.
Expecting a UD for Baraou and a knighthood for The Egg.
Eggington vs Baraou R12
Bullish Baraou keeps trading in the pocket, even though he is coasting on the cards.
Eggington is still scything away at the German but he has not put a dent in the visitor.
Baraou is too tough and technical, too hungry and driven.
The Egg is a cult hero but this European title has slipped out of his grasp.
Eggington vs Baraou R11
A couple of times now Eggington has looked broken and beat but he has rallied and returned fire.
Eggington only looks happy in the darkest trenches, putting out fires and swinging for a life saver.
The engine on the Smethwick man is scary. But Baraou is just too fresh and well formed.
Eggington vs Baraou R11
In trademark style, Eggingtom tries to up the pace and the ante.
But Baraou is seasoned and skillful and spiteful.
The Egg is in trouble, shipping shots. The referee is taking a close look.
But then the Brit somehow hits back. What a man Eggington is.
Eggington vs Baraou R10
Eggington’s corner do good work with his gashed eye.
But Baraou is so technically sound and disciplined he seems unlikely to blow it.
Baraou doesn’t have a mark on his face while the Egg’s is slowly swelling up into a pink pillow.
Eggington needs a Hail Mary miracle punch now.
Eggington vs Baraou R10
Eggington’s trainer Jon Pegg tells his charge: “You were winning that round and threw it away by being a f***ing idiot”.
he’s not wrong, replays show the Brummie sruck his head up and laughed after getting clipped by the first right hand.
Eggington in trouble now, a nasty gash looking almost as bad as the scorecards.
A bloody mess.
Eggington vs Baraou R9
A short left hook from the Brummie lands but does not hurt Baraou.
Eggington turns his man on the ropes and slashes at him further.
But Baraou roars back with a dozen right hands and hacks cuts into Eggington’s eyes.
A horrible turn for Eggington. Baraou has snatched certain victory from the jaws of a likely decision.
Eggington vs Baraou R8
Excellent combination from Baraou ends with an uppercut and hook that wobble Eggington’s head back and sideways.
The Brummie is jabbing well and controlling the pace but Baraou’s punches have been more precise and eyecatching.
The contest feels like it’s slipping away now, with the German maybe 6-2 up.
Eggington vs Baraou R7
Another tight and close round but probably another one Baraou can claim because of his footwork and superior style.
Eggington’s Mexican-like pressure hasn’t been in top gear tonight so Bararou has been able to nick minutes and rounds by looking good.
It still feels like the Egg needs to crack one big shot to turn the tide.
It’s probably 5-2 now.
Eggington vs Baraou R6
Baraou probably nicked the fifth but he is having a rest now.
A bit morea action from the Egg and he could take this one on the scorecards.
Baraou’s bouncing and gliding around the edge look nice but he’s miles out of range and almost showboating.
The Egg keeps piling on the pressure but is not getting too much success.
Eggington vs Baraou R5
Thrilling end to the fifth as both men land head shots.
Eggington even scores to the Baraou body.
Eggington might have a small cut opening on the outside corner of his left eye,
Eggington vs Baraou R5
Baraou is mean at the start of the fifth, backing Eggington into a corner and slashing at him.
Egg is happy in the pocket and firing back but one flush shot could end it early.
Eggington edges out of the neutral corner and chips back at the travelling favourite.
Eggington vs Baraou R4
Eggington has jabbed and pressured his way back into the contest as Baraou takes a round off.
Baraou has not been hurt or buzzed but Eggington has touched him enough to make that 2-2.
We need to see Baraou’s tough German chin checked by an Eggington bomb.
Eggington vs Baraou R3
Baraou lands a thudding right hand that costs Eggington his gumshield and probably the round.
The German is starting to show his amateur skills while the Egg is relying on his never-say-die grit.
It feels like 2-1 to Baraou now but Eggington might have just taken Baraou’s best right hand and brushed it off.
Eggington vs Baraou R3
Baraou’s foot and head movement are a level above but the Egg has seen it all before.
The Englishman takes the bout eyebrow-to-eyebrow and calls for an exchange of hooks and uppercuts.
Baraou and all of his amateur pedigree want this at distance, with skill and style. But the Savage is here for a battle.
Eggington vs Baraou R2
The Egg takes takes a couple too many straight shots but is not hurt.
Baraou is more menacing in this round, but Eggington slips and blocks a host of efforts.
Baraou should have bagged that one with the judges.
It feels like 1-1 after the opening two.
Eggington vs Baraou R1
Both super-welters jab to head and body, Eggington towers over the German.
Baraou does some good work at close quarters, with The Savage pinned back on the ropes.
But Eggington tucks up smartly and boxes his way out of danger.
Eggington connects with a right hook right on the bell that might have won him the round.
Brotherly glove
Daniel Eggington is currently traversing the Rio Negro, across three dangerous South American countries, so Sam wants him to get his props.
He told us: “He makes what I do look like an absolute doddle, people should be writing articles and watching documentaries about him, not me.
“People even rave about the bloke off Eastenders – Grant Mitchell – going to dangerous foreign countries, but he travels with about 15 bodyguards and a TV crew, while my brother is out there with a laptop and a drone.
“Right now I am getting ready for 12 rounds on Channel 5, he is spending three months traversing the Rio Negro, through uncharted parts of Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, that’s proper actual danger.”
Round trip
Sam Eggington preferred to celebrate brother Daniel’s brave adventures rather than his own.
When SunSport asked him about his globetrotting brother, he explained: “I find it weird that people want to interview me about doing a sport millions of people around the world do every day, when my brother is doing something that only a few people in history have ever done.
“I’m in a great gym, I box on TV, people cheer me on and I get paid for it. My brother goes to the deepest darkest places left on earth, living with tribes, risking his life because he loves animals and adventure.
“Barring a couple of great sponsors – who help keep his family at home almost calm – he does it at all his own cost.”
Kelly wins
Referee Kevin Parker scores the seesaw thriller 57-55.
That was a magnificent example of boxing and bravery, great matchmaking too.
Brilliant boxing and a great win for the Birmingham boy.
Kelly down – R6
The doctor is checking all the cuts and swelling around Lutic but he has been passed to continue.
Lutic is switching from southpaw to orthodox and getting clipped in both stances.
Kelly is enjoying it now, he’s landing plenty but now he’s down, stunned by a haymaker. The Englishman beats the count. Stunning stuff.
It was a left hook that rocked Kelly down to his socks.
Lutic down – R5
A Kelly body blow drops Lutic down to the canvas.
Lutic seems finished but brilliantly climbs up right on 9.
Kelly steams back in and targets the trunk again but Lutic tucks up and survives the onslaught.
Final round starting now, with kickboxer Lutic needing a miracle to win.
Kelly vs Lutic – R5
Lutic is slinging the kitchen sink at the Englishman and asking his head, body and heart a string of questions.
Kelly is not shying away and showing a lot more than he did in his loss to Hamzah Sheeraz.
Lutic traps Kelly on the ropes and unloads. Kelly looks shellshocked. The referee appears close to stepping in and stopping it.
Kelly vs Lutic – R3
Ryan Kelly must have expected a little step-up fight, a chance to showcase his skills.
Instead he has been dragged into the trenches.
Lutic is a tough and proud man, swinging for the rafters.
Fans are being treated to a brilliant battle.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
