JOSH WARRINGTON returned to the ring with a huge comeback win over Asad Asif Khan!The bout was on the undercard of Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain, with Smith charging to a comprehensive triumph.Former two-time featherweight champion Warrington had reportedly considered retirement after suffering three consecutive defeats, and could now go forth to a big summer showdown against Ireland’s Michzel Conlan.Live stream/TV: DAZNBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFollow ALL the action from the Park Community Arena with our live blog below…Get me my shot!Dalton says: “There’s no better feeling than fighting in my home town. When it went a bit quiet in there, they helped me up the pace.”All I want to say is, I want that world title shot next.”I did what I had to do, me and my dad said I had to enjoy the rounds and I could have done twenty.”Credit to Germain, he was tough but I needed those rounds and my dad told me not to knock him out.”I finished the last one in the first and this one went the distance, it’s hard when somone runs like that.”Copy linkCopiedSmith wins UDAfter three knockdowns – and one point deducted for low blows – the three judges award Dalton Smith the unanimous win.The cards read: 117-107 and 119-105 and 119-105.Smith remains undefeated and dangerous.But Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn needs to deliver his man a world title shot now, before the warm-ups get boring.Copy linkCopiedGermain down R12!This one counts and gets an eight-count.Germain is down and up and hurt and brave.The Canadian’s skull and ribs must be burning but Smith cannot finish him.Fight over.Smith wins every round but Mathieu Germain proves himself a freakishly tough man.Copy linkCopiedGermain down R12!But it won’t be counted as a knockdown as it was a low blow.Smith holds his gloves up and apologises straight away.But referee Victor Loughlin takes a token point off of Smith for the repeat offence.Copy linkCopiedGermain down R11!Smith takes the advice from his corner and folds his foe down into the canvas.Germain bounces back up, looking more annoyed with himself than lame.He doesn’t run away or clinch, either, he keeps dancing around and popping out his own punches.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R10Another one-sided round, almost like a spar for Smith.Germain does not want to be stopped and he hasn’t looked close to it.It will be a badge of honour for the low-profile veteran to go the distance with red-hot Smith.Smith’s corner tell their man give the ref a reason to jump in and end it.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R9Smith goes through the whole arsenal of punches but doesn’t trouble Germain again.There’s no threat coming back from the visitor so Smith should put his foot down and end this early.Germain hasn’t won a round but he’s also only looked hurt once.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R8Germain is bundled out of the ring but it’s not counted as a knockdown.Smith manhandled him and the Canadian flew through the ropes and thankfully wasn’t hurt.The action resumes inside the ropes.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R7Dull round.Germain is on his bike and Smith is going around the houses.The crowd and viewers will need a decent knockout to erase the memory of this frustrating opening seven rounds.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R6Smith slashes at the Canadian’s body with both heavy hands.A one-two to the head scores also, it’s a landslide on the cards but it’s not a highlight-reel performance so far.One dangerous left hook might have dropped Germain but it grazed his nose and his leaped out of danger.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R6The Montreal man doesn’t want to get hurt or embarrassed so he is staying on the outskirts of the ring.Smith needs to be smarter with his pressure and cut down the ring, rather than following Germain around like a puppy.Smith launches a long left hook but a fruitless single shot and Germain swerves it.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R5It feels like Smith is looking for the perfect counter punch to win – and it’s just not coming.The combinations are few and far between.Smith lands an accidental low blow and Germain gets time from the referee for his groin to recover.Another session slipbs by, into Smith’s pocket, but without much action.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R4Double-jab-right-hand-left-hook from Smith drives Germain into a corner.It looks like curtains for the visitor again.But Smith’s best shots are just off target or Germain is a nanosecond too fast.And the underdog hears another bell before Smith Sr tells his boy to throw an uppercut after a body blow.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R3Germain’s shaven head gets more slaps and pokes and whacks.Smith is so calm in the ring and is ice-cold like a Steel City assassin.Germain deserves credit and respect for taking some big shots and remaining in range for more.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R3Smith has the stench of blood in his nostrils and Germain is a sitting Canadian duck.Germain wants to go out on his shield, though, he is on the front foot and hurling shots.A lesser, or wiser, man would run around the ropes and hide but Germain gets in range and lands a left hookCopy linkCopiedGermain down R2!The visitor scoots around the ring smartly enough but every time he ventures inward, he looks scared.Smith stalks him menacingly but doesn’t take risks.Right on the bell, Smith lands a peach of a left hook and Germain falls heavily and gets saved by the bell.2-0 Smith, with a 10-8 round.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R1Smith used the opener to get a read on his opponent, to suss his tells and his feints.Then the local hero landed a whipped left hook and a body shot.And, in the clinch, Germain bizarrely chose to grab and hold Smith’s leg.Smith’s dad and trainer Grant used the break to tell his boy to target more body shots.Copy linkCopiedSmith vs Germain R1Sheffield’s Dalton Smith is mandatory for the WBC super-light world title.So he is treading water with Mathieu Germain tonight and will do well to last the opening five rounds.Smith iced his last overmatched opponent in ONE ROUND in January.Another hometown show tonight and a confidence builder before the world title effort for the Wednesday fan.Copy linkCopiedDalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain NEXT!Home hero Smith is undefeated with a record of 17 wins from 17 bouts.The 28-year-old wants a world title fight next year, so he MUST win here tonight.Mathieu Germain’s record includes 26 wins, two defeats and one draw.Copy linkCopiedMoment Josh drops Khan in the sixthCopy linkCopiedWarrington: ‘I’m a bit disappointed’After his win, Warrington said: “Am I bit disappointed? Yeah. Felt like I could’ve ended it sooner.”But I’m happy to be back in the ring.”I know there were times I was hurting him, he was sometimes making noises before I was even throwing anything.”So I knew he was hurt.”On what’s really left in Josh Warrington, he added: “There’s been a few hiccups and set-backs.”Obviously it’s about implementing what I’m doing in the gym.”The Brit added that he’d be open to fighting Michael Conlan next, who beat Khan in less decisive fashion a few months ago. He concluded: “Just a massive thanks to my family, my wife and kids, they’ve sacrificed a lot for me.”Copy linkCopiedWarrington secures unanimous decision winThe Leeds Warrior wins the vote of all three judges with a dominant performance over Asad Asif Khan.The gloves are still very much on!The scorecard: 99-8999-90 97-91Copy linkCopiedWarrington vs Khan R10The Brit’s engine, stamina and passion is still there.But whether the power, skill, and elitism is, is hard to know given the level of opposition tonight.The Leeds Warrior unleashes several shots the body and allows Khan to walk into a right hand.Khan will go the distance and deserves every bit of his purse after looking on the verge of a knockout in Round 6.Warrington didn’t get the finish, but he’s surely won the 10 rounds.Copy linkCopiedWarrington vs Khan R9The pair clinch and the Brit lands a couple of jabs.Neither man carries knockout power to fear at the moment so it’s who puts together the better combinations.Khan’s are textbook and scoring occasionally but Warrington is showing more ability and fitness ahead of the final round.Copy linkCopiedWarrington vs Khan R8Warrington comes flying out again – remember he hasn’t won since 2022. But he has been victorious in every single session here.The Brit unleashed again, stabbing at his head and slashing at his ribs.If he was serious about America, then Josh shouldn’t really let Khan hear the final bell. He should end it. He’s cruising, but Khan is weathering it now.Warrington more-or-less 8-1 up, at least. Copy linkCopied More
