Australian light-heavyweight Damien Hooper has prevailed over Marcus Browne of the United States thanks to an action-packed final round.
It was Browne who came out the blocks in frenetic fashion, trying to engage the Australian in a war. However, the fight soon settled into a cautious stand off.
The American took a narrow one-point lead into the second stanza, but Hooper came out with more purpose, landing a right to the body of Browne.
Browne regained the initiative and boxed well at range, making Hooper miss with far too much regularity.
The action became very untidy in the closing stages of the second round. Hooper's languid style caused the pair to tangle and fall to the canvas.
Hooper had it all to do in the final three minutes as he trailed by one point. He had fire in his belly as the pace of the bout stepped up a gear.
The Australian was throwing everything at Browne, raining in lefts and rights, forcing the referee to step in and give the American a standing count.
Hooper had the bit between his teeth now and Browne was really struggling to hold on.
In the end, the judges deemed that the Australian had done enough to turn the bout around, awarding him a 13-11 victory.
Michael Penkman
