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LENNY DAWS has successfully held on to his British Light-Welterweight Championship.

Daws claimed a victory as two bad cuts sustained by Williams near his right eye forced him to retire before the start of the 11th round.

Williams had mad a fine start but the cuts, which happened in the fifth and eighth rounds, led to Daws taking control as he then stamped his authority on the clash.

"I'm happy with the result but I think I can box slightly better," said Daws.

"But it was great to take it out of the judges' hands after what happened with Jason Cook when it ended a draw.

"I now need one more win and the belt will be coming home with me. It would be a dream come true to win the Lonsdale belt outright but I have to come through more one difficult defence. That will be my hardest defence.

"Once Williams was cut his body language changed and with the second he then started rubbing his eye and maybe he was a bit inexperienced. you have to cope with the conditions and get through it but I was glad I got the job done.

"But I was using my experience to my benefit and making him miss but I knew I had to do that. He wanted to trade with me but I boxed well."

PRE-FIGHT
Lenny Daws was aiming to make the second successful defence of his British Light-Welterweight Championship in the main event of Matchroom Sport's latest boxing show.

Daws, 31, had clinched the title in September when he avenged a defeat against Barry Morrison as he knocked out the Scotsman in the tenth round.

Londoner Daws then made a successful defence against Welshman Jason Cook, but the decision was shrouded in controversy as the bout ended in a draw.

Daws was hoping for a more clear-cut victory this time but he faced a tough task against Liverpool's undefeated prospect Steve Williams.

Williams had only fought nine times in his career and some critics said he was getting his shot at a title too early but this was his big chance to catapult himself into the boxing big-time.

There was a big crowd at the York Hall in Bethnal Green in London with Daws, unsurprisingly the firm favourite, although a couple of hundred fans had travelled down from the north west to cheer on Williams.

ROUND-BY-ROUND

1. It's a bright start from Williams as he looks to impose himself on the contest. But he doesn't have it all his own way as Daws, who has only lost once in 23 bouts, ends the round strongly.

2. Williams continues his good work and probably does enough to catch the judges' eyes. A fine right hook lands on the side of Daws' head but he doesn't flinch. An ambitious left hook from Williams. shortly after misses by some distance.

3. It's fast and frantic at the York Hall. A right hook from Williams momentarily dislodges Daws' mouthguard. The experts said this could be a classic. After a hugely enjoyable three rounds they may be right.

4. Daws' best round of the fight so far as he repeatedly catches Williams as he moves in for an attack. Hard to call so far this one could be very close.

5. Worrying times for Williams as he sustains a cut just over his right eye. It's caused by a clash of heads instead of from a punch but with blood near his eye it could cause Williams some problems. Daws ends the round well as Williams seems distracted by the cut. After five rounds Daws has landed 73 times, Williams 55.

6. Daws is taking charge now as he plants the jab deep into Williams' face again and again. The cut is still causing Williams problems as his cornermen scream advice at him at the end of the round.

7. It's another round for Daws, who now has some daylight between him and Williams. Williams needs a big round to change the tide of this fight. Daws' fans are the ones in good voice at the moment, while those from Liverpool look a bit worried.

8. The cut around Williams' eye, which had not looked too bad in the last couple of rounds, has opened up again. Actually, footage shows that Williams has now suffered a second cut, in close proximity to the first. Williams is frantically trying to paw the blood away from his face but is struggling to do so.

9. Williams is using his greater experience to win the rounds. Although he appears to be losing, it's a valiant and brave effort from Williams who has had to take a large amount of shots in the last few rounds. Once again, by the end of the round his face looks a mess.

10. Before the start of the tenth Daws has now landed 173 punches compared to 92 from Williams. The Liverpool man needs something special now. He produces his best round for a while but once again there is a lot of blood around Williams' eye.

Williams goes back to the corner at the end of the tenth round, is checked out by the ringside doctors and it is decided the cuts are too bad for him to be able to continue. Referee Ian John Lewis calls a halt to proceedings.

LENNY DAWS RETAINS HIS BRITISH LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

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