Pierce O`Leary successfully captured the vacant European super-lightweight championship, securing a unanimous decision victory over a determined, albeit smaller, Liam Dillon.
The highly anticipated bout served as the co-main event on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni, taking place recently at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town Football Club.
The official scorecards reflected O`Leary`s dominance, reading 116-112, 115-113, and 117-111 in his favor. His clear physical advantages proved to be a decisive factor in the contest.
O`Leary, who now boasts a record of 17-0 with 9 knockouts, delivered a strong performance throughout the fight. Liam Dillon (15-2-1, 3 KOs), whose previous notable victories came at the super-featherweight limit, demonstrated immense courage and gave a tireless effort over the full 12 rounds.
The opening round was marked by caution from both fighters. However, O`Leary quickly established himself as the more explosive puncher, particularly showcasing his power with a sharp right uppercut.
Despite O`Leary`s offensive output, Dillon deserves credit for effectively stifling many of the Irishman`s early attacks. He advanced with a tight guard, successfully closing the distance and preventing O`Leary from fully extending.
The naturally lighter man landed a series of quick combinations in bursts. However, O`Leary responded forcefully in the third round, landing a debilitating body shot that seemed to take the wind out of Dillon.
Following this significant blow, the 25-year-old O`Leary appeared to gain control, finishing the round with relentless pressure that punished his opponent.
Despite this setback, Dillon displayed tremendous resilience in the subsequent round, landing a solid overhand right and managing to connect with the shot again before the round concluded.
The 29-year-old challenger seemed to grow in confidence as the fight progressed, even displaying a smile when O`Leary landed heavy shots to the body.
After a more encouraging fifth round, Dillon continued to employ crafty movement, constantly darting in and out. O`Leary, perhaps finding other options limited, continued to rely on his effective forward pressure.
This pattern largely continued into the championship rounds. Dillon remained an elusive target, utilizing movement to make O`Leary work, while O`Leary consistently landed the cleaner, more impactful punches, ultimately securing the decision and the title.
