British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell yet again overcame a somewhat slow start to dramatically stop unbeaten challenger Damon Jones inside six rounds and successfully retain his title at Derby Arena this evening (July 25).

Blackwell, who came from behind to win his British title against John Ryder in May, was again starting to claw back the deficit against Jones, before a Hail Mary right hand in the sixth rendered the three ringside judges and their scorecards effectively useless.

Up until that point, though, Yorkshireman Jones had proven to be a stern and skilfull challenger, one who was able to frustrate Blackwell at times and dictate the pace behind his sharp southpaw jab and some well-picked left uppercuts and back hands. He moved well, he showed a tight defence, and often, especially in the opening couple of rounds, Blackwell found himself a step behind.

But the champion is nothing if not determined and, by the time the fifth round opened up, there was a sense that the tide had started to turn. Blackwell was now able to get closer to Jones and, when he did so, he was chopping away at his body with left and right hooks. He had also now increased his tempo and work-rate, perhaps well aware that Jones had never before gone beyond the sixth round.

Of course, as it turned out, Jones wouldn’t accomplishment that milestone tonight, either. Instead, as he backed up to the ropes and decided to trade with Blackwell, it was the British champion who landed first in the form of a crushing, fight-ending right hand, delivered right on the bell to end the round.

Jones, to his credit, rose to his feet, but referee Victor Loughlin had seen enough and decided to wave the contest over. Blackwell retained his title in fine style.

In the night’s chief support contest, heavyweight prospect Hughie Lewis Fury showed composure and a smart boxing brain to diffuse the threat of Brazilian veteran George Arias over the 10-round distance.

The 20-year-old, competing in only his second 10-rounder, utilised impressive footwork, feints and a variety of shots on the retreat to keep Arias guessing and stay one step ahead of him throughout.

One right hand seemed to hurt Arias in round two – and Fury duly pounced on the wounded South American – but, aside from that, the fight always seemed destined to go the full route and so it proved. At the bout’s conclusion, Fury was handed victory by a lopsided score of 100-90.