Quigg-Munroe cut short by clash of heads

Scott Quigg and Rendall Munroe’s showdown for the WBA interim junior featherweight title ended in anti-climax and a technical draw after a third-round clash of heads left Munroe cut above the right eye and unable to continue.

To the immense frustration of everyone at the Velodrome, in Manchester, England, on Saturday, the ringside doctor had no choice but to intervene as blood poured down the face of the Midlands fighter. The wound, caused by an accidental collision, was both wide and deep.

“That’s how it is in boxing. We’re two warriors, I thought I had his number in there – but he’ll probably the same thing,” said 32-year-old Munroe (24-2-1,10 knockouts). “I’m more frustrated not to be able to take another belt home to the kids – with it being Father’s Day tomorrow.

“I don’t know how bad the cut is because I haven’t seen it. But I can see the grimaces on people’s faces.”

Unbeaten contender Quigg (24-0-1, 17 knockouts) was equally upset at the unsatisfactory conclusion.

“I’m gutted because I really believed I was going to win this title,” said the 23-year-old from Bury, Lancashire. “Everything was going to plan but then I didn’t get the perfect fight.”

Those sentiments were echoed by promoter Ricky Hatton, who insisted a rematch will happen once Munroe’s injury heals.

“It has to be because we want to find out who is the number one junior featherweight in Britain,” said former two-weight beltholder Hatton. “Scott can have another fight in the meantime and, when Rendall’s ready, we’ll have an immediate rematch.

“It’s such a shame because the fight was shaping up nicely. Sick isn’t the word to describe how I feel.”