Ursu controls early rounds with sharper jab and timing to add British belt to Commonwealth crown in Derby
Constantin Ursu (15-0, 6 KOs) outscored Owen Cooper (11-2, 4 KOs) over 12 rounds to win the British welterweight title and defend his Commonwealth belt at Vaillant Live in Derby. Scores of 118-110 twice and 116-112 reflected Ursu’s command through the first half and a composed finish down the stretch.
Ursu, who claimed the vacant Commonwealth title last March and later added the WBO European strap with a wide points win over Ryan Amos, took control behind clean straight shots and tight counters. He established range with the jab and beat Cooper to the punch in the exchanges.
Through four rounds, Cooper struggled to close distance. Ursu timed him on entry, stepping back half a beat and firing right hands down the middle. By round six, Ursu was relaxed enough to box with his hands low at times, drawing Cooper forward and picking him off.
Cooper found success in the seventh when he pressed harder and landed with more authority. He clipped Ursu and forced a tougher round, but Ursu answered by tightening his defense and returning to measured boxing in the eighth. The ninth turned into a competitive spell at close quarters, both men trading hooks and uppercuts inside.
A firm right hand from Cooper in the tenth rallied him again, yet Ursu did not unravel. He stuck to his structure, circled off the ropes, and closed the show with a disciplined final round, pumping the jab and finishing combinations clean.
Over 12 rounds, Ursu’s punch selection and timing carried the night. He controlled distance, stayed balanced, and limited Cooper’s offense.
Luke McCormack Cruises Past Kane Gardner
Luke McCormack (5-0, 3 KOs) handled Kane Gardner (18-6, 7 KOs) comfortably over 10 rounds at welterweight. Scores of 100-90 twice and 99-92 told the story.
McCormack boxed behind a steady jab, kept his feet under him, and picked Gardner apart with straight shots. It was a measured performance in his first scheduled 10-rounder.
Undercard Results
Ben Fail (11-0, 6 KOs) stopped Mason Cartwright (23-5-1, 9 KOs) in the seventh round of a competitive super welterweight fight, pulling away with sustained combinations.
At flyweight, Tony Curtis (13-1, 3 KOs) won 80-72 against Jemsi Kibazange (21-15-4, 8 KOs).
Charlie Senior (4-0, 2 KOs) dropped Jesus Carrasco (2-3-1) early and finished him in the fifth round at featherweight. Heavyweight Lewis Williams (4-0, 1 KO) won all four rounds against Ben Vickers (3-3-1, 1 KO).
Reese Lynch (3-0, 1 KO) and Lasha Guruli (3-0, 1 KO) each pitched shutouts at super lightweight against Dan Booth (6-20, 3 KOs) and Benito Sanchez Garcia (17-17-4, 5 KOs).
In four-round fights, Joe Cooper (6-0) swept Serge Ambomo (13-71-3, 4 KOs) at middleweight, while Ellis Panter (1-0) won a points decision over Garth Noot (1-16-2, 1 KO) at super lightweight.