PAUL McCloskey has hailed his knockout punch that saw him retain his European Light-Welterweight title as the best punch of his career.

McCloskey, 30, flattened Italian Giuseppe Lauri with a beautiful right hook in the 11th round of his first defence of his belt at Belfast’s King’s Hall.

“It was very tough and I got dragged down into a fight I shouldn’t have done,” said McCloskey, who has now won all 21 of his professional bouts.

“But champions have to show what they’re made of but I should’ve fought a different fight.

“Once I landed that shot I knew it was all over. I’ve thrown a few great punches as an amateur but it’s probably my best knockout ever.

“My movement was flat and I stayed too close but I have to give him a bit of credit for dragging me in.

McCloskey started well but received a cut just over his right eye and bad swelling underneath the same eye in the eighth.

He admitted that did affect his performance but produced a stunning punch after 55 seconds of round 11 to claim the victory.

However, the Italian corner were furious as they believed Lauri was not defending himself after offering an out-stretched arm to McCloskey after the referee had separated them following a Lauri infringement.

But television pictures showed Lauri had his guard up and just been caught by a beautiful punch.

“The referee didn’t say anything. I saw the punch, threw it and knocked him out,” added McCloskey, who hopes this victory takes him closer to a world title.

“I expected a better performance from me but it was a victory and one I needed.

“I’m now 21-0, am still the European champion and still have a ranking in the world rankings.

“It was a poor performance but I dug out the victory and sometimes you don’t box at your best but you still have to win.

“I hope people see that and think I’m an easy shot for a world title so you never know it might work in my favour.

“It was an amazing crowd and the first time I’ve topped the bill here.

“The atmosphere was amazing and the crowd does help you. People say it doesn’t but it definitely lifted me up.

“The future holds whatever I want. I think I can go all the way. I’m the European champion and in the top ten of some of the governing bodies rankings so let’s see what happens.”

Elsewhere, Kevin McIntyre claimed the vacant Celtic Welterweight Championship as he produced a fine performance against Lurgan's Stephen Haughian to claim a unanimous points win.

Prizefighter Light-Middleweights champion Gavin Rees stopped former Commonwealth challenger Samuel Amoako in the third round, while Gary McArthur also claimed an early victory against Graham Fearn.

Dublin's Andy Murray won inside two rounds, while Carl Frampton, managed by Northern Ireland boxing legend Barry McGuigan, looked impressive as he defeated a gallant Ian Bailey on points.

Cuba-born Luis Garcia was too good for Nathan King, home veteran Ciaran Healy beat undefeated prospect Harry Matthews, while Kris Carslaw and Jamie Conlon also gained wins.

Kings Hall, Belfast
Friday 11 June 2010
12 x 3 mins  European Light-Welterweight Championship @10st
PAUL McCLOSKEY (Dungiven) beat GIUSEPPE LAURI (Italy) – TKO R11

10 x 3 mins Vacant Celtic Welterweight Championship  @ 10st 7lbs
STEPHEN HAUGHIAN (Lurgan) lost to KEVIN McINTYRE (Paisley) – PTS 93-98, 93-97, 94-97

6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest  @ 9st 12lbs
GAVIN REES (Newbridge) beat SAMUEL AMOAKO (Ghana) – RSF R3

6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest  @ 9st 12lbs
ANDY MURRAY (Dublin) beat JOHN BAGULEY (Rotherham) – RTD R2

6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest  @ 9st 12lbs
GARY McARTHUR (Clydebank) beat GRAHAM FEARN (York) – RSF R2

6 x 3 mins Super-Bantamweight Contest  @ 8st 12lbs
CARL FRAMPTON (Belfast) beat IAN BAILEY (Slough) – PTS 60-55

6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest  @ 11st 9llbs
HARRY MATTHEWS (York) lost to CIARAN HEALY (Belfast) – PTS 36-38

6 x 3 mins Light-Middleweight Contest  @ 11st 2lbs
KRIS CARSLAW (Paisley) beat BEN DEGHANI (Glasgow) – PTS 39-37

4 x 3 mins Flyweight Contest  @ 8st 3lbs
JAMIE CONLON (Belfast) beat DELROY SPENCER (Walsall) – PTS 39-37

6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight Contest  @ 12st 8lbs
LUIS GARCIA  (Cuba/Ireland) beat NATHAN KING (Mountain Ash) – TKO R5

Date posted: June 12, 2010

Click here to return to the Matchroom Sport home page